Drawing with Thread
A course by Cecilia Santamaria MandujanoEmbroiderer and Illustrator
A course by Cecilia Santamaria Mandujano, Embroiderer and Illustrator
Learn to embroider and draw with thread. Transfer your sketches to fabric to create realistic illustrations.
In this online course, the renowned embroiderer and illustrator Ceci Santamaria invites you to immerse yourself in the exciting world of realistic embroidery. Through her unique black thread drawing technique, Ceci has collaborated with prestigious brands such as Bleiz, Cetrería de México and COATS. Her focus on portraying nature with surprising precision has led her to create works that shine with the magic of the handmade.
The course will give you the necessary tools to give life to your illustrations on fabric, combining different textures with mastery to achieve volume and definition in your embroidery. You will learn to take traditional techniques and give them a contemporary twist, obtaining surprising results.
What will you learn in this online course?
19 lessons & 15 downloads
A unique technique for embroidered realism
15 minutes, 42 seconds
Make your own pattern
10 minutes, 44 seconds
Gradient exercise 2
13 minutes, 58 seconds
The first lines
16 minutes, 22 seconds
Dark areas and spots
16 minutes, 59 seconds
Final touches
3 minutes, 33 seconds
What's included in this course?
To start this exciting course, you will learn about the fascinating world of realistic embroidery with the talented Ceci Santamaria. You will begin with an introduction to drawing with thread, discovering how nature becomes the source of inspiration for your illustrations. You will learn how to select the appropriate reference image for your final project, which will be an exciting embroidery experience with a needle and black thread.
Afterwards, you will enter the exciting process of creating your own pattern, taking into account the details and textures that you want to capture in your work. Ceci will show you how to transfer the sketch to the fabric and mount it on the appropriate support, ensuring that every step of your embroidery is a success.
Next, you will practice with pencil and paper the different gradients and effects that you will use to embroider with black thread. This practice will allow you to develop the confidence and skill necessary to capture your ideas with needle and thread.
Lastly, you'll dive into the final project: embroidering the majestic jaguar. Ceci will guide you in every step, from the whiskers to the volumes and finishes that will give life and realism to your embroidery. You will learn to texture with short lines and review every detail carefully, taking your work to an artistic and professional level.
By the end of the course, you will have acquired a unique skill in embroidering realistic portraits of nature. You will have experienced the satisfaction of illustrating on fabric with black thread and you will be ready to share your work with the world.
What is this course's project?
You will have the opportunity to create your favorite animal with a needle and black thread. Using all the techniques and knowledge acquired during the lessons, you will embroider a stunning realistic portrait of the majestic jaguar.
From whiskers to volumes and finishes, you will capture every detail with precision and dedication. Through this project, you will experience the satisfaction of bringing your favorite animal to life with your own hands, taking home a unique and contemporary work of art.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is aimed at all those lovers of embroidery and illustration who wish to explore the exciting world of realistic embroidery. It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or already have experience in embroidery, Ceci Santamaría's guide will help you discover a new way to express the beauty of nature with black thread.
If you are passionate about portraying nature and want to learn unique techniques to achieve realism in your works, this course is perfect for you. Dare to immerse yourself in the world of realistic embroidery and discover a magical way to illustrate on fabric!
Requirements and materials
To fully enjoy this course, you will need threads, needles, paper and pencil, as well as an embroidery hoop and a cotton square. There are no limits to your ability to depict the beauty of nature through embroidery, so grab your black thread, get ready to illustrate on fabric, and experience a new way to create realistic portraits. Let your emotions and your passion for nature be reflected in every stitch!
Reviews
- gokcekibarPLUS2 months ago
It was a good lesson. I listened attentively to all the lessons and followed all the steps. She's a very good teacher. This course inspired me for new projects. Thank you .
- 2 months ago
Me encantó! Lo explica super bien y da buenos tips
- 3 months ago
Great course, very detailed and I love the final artwork.
- 4 months ago
Hermoso curso, Cecilia explica muy bien.
- cidaportoPLUS5 months ago
Cecilia é uma professora incrivel! estou feliz em aprender sempre mais com ela aqui no Domestika
Her career includes projects with renowned brands such as Bleiz, Cetrería de México and COATS, as well as a series of contemporary creations that combine tradition and modernity. The subtlety with which she handles color and textures in her embroidery highlights her talent for capturing the very essence of nature in each work.
Ceci Santamaría has become an influential figure in the world of embroidery and illustration, sharing her knowledge and techniques with enthusiasm. Her passion for nature and her ability to create realistic portraits with black thread make her a unique artist, whose creativity and skill continue to captivate those who appreciate the beauty of what is handmade.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Drawing with black thread
- A unique technique for embroidered realism
- Materials for drawing with thread
- The best image to embroider
- U3
Prepare the embroidery
- Make your own pattern
- Transfer the pattern to the fabric
- Mounting the fabric on the hoop
- Gradient exercise 1
- Gradient exercise 2
- U4
Embroider the project
- The first lines
- Dark areas and spots
- Points and textures
- Texture with short lines 1
- Texture with short lines 2
- Final touches
- U5
Closing content
- Preparation for assembly
- And the back?
- Photograph your embroidery
- FP
Final project
- Thread embroidered drawing
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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FAQs
This course teaches you how to create realistic embroidery on fabric using mainly black thread, combining drawing and naturalistic illustration techniques to depict animals, flowers, and architecture with rich detail and texture.
The course is intermediate level, perfect for those with basic embroidery skills who want to refine thread drawing and textile realism techniques.
You'll need threads (especially black Mouline), embroidery needles, fine-point scissors, fabric (like lonetta), an embroidery hoop, tracing paper, carbon paper, a pencil, and a reference image.
You'll learn how to choose reference images, transfer sketches to fabric, create patterns, blend shades, work on textures, mount fabric in a hoop, and professionally present your embroidery.
The course covers methods like tracing with tracing paper, using carbon paper, or direct printing to transfer outlines and sketch details onto fabric before stitching.
Techniques such as short stitches, dotting, layering thread, and tonal gradients are used to mimic volume, shadows, and realistic textures in embroidery.
Sharp, well-lit images with clear poses and visible details are recommended. The course teaches how to select and edit photos for the best embroidery results.