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How to Effectively Use Other Artists' Work as Inspiration

10/24/2017

17 Comments

 
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​Are you constantly trying to find inspiration by admiring other artists' work and find yourself copying more than you'd like? Do you feel like you are making no progress towards finding your own artistic style? Are you simply unable to produce as much original artwork as you'd like?
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“Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing." 
-Salvador Dali

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In this post I will explain one of the methods I use to make sure I produce original artwork while getting inspired by other artists. This strategy is an amazing way to work towards finding and developing one's own artistic style. Plus, it's very fun!

The act of copying is a very delicate subject in the artistic field and just the word seems to put many of us on edge.

I say, let's 
try to relax and admit that each one of us has been constantly inspired throughout his/her life by people, experiences, artwork (and by
“artwork" I mean movies, music, theater, books, etc.), the environments we have lived in, advertising, and pretty much everything around us.

Everything, and I mean everything, has a conscious or unconscious effect on us and, therefore, on the work we produce as artists.

We have all been influenced by a combination of different things and have different likes and dislikes. This is not to say that two different artists are never going to produce similar work.

There are bound to be similarities amongst us in terms of technique and/or subject matter because there are only a certain amount of techniques and subjects to work with. 

However, if we put in the effort to discover ourselves as artists (what techniques/supplies we enjoy working with most, what our own distinctive abilities as well as areas of improvement are, what ideas we want to put out into the world, etc.), we will eventually get to a point at which our work will be a direct representation of ourselves.

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This is, in my opinion, what matters most and what I am personally working towards. At this point in my artistic journey I allow myself to admire and analyze other peoples' work, but make sure that the bulk of my time goes towards looking inwards and doing my best to apply what I have learned in my own way. 

Having said all this, let's begin!

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30 Day Sketchbook Challenge


​The Artist Mishmash Exercise 


The purpose of this exercise is to start pinpointing specific characteristics of other artists' work that you are drawn to, whether it's related to subject type, technique used, general mood of the piece, etc. Afterwards, you will explore how to use characteristics found in different artists' work in one same piece!

Step #1:
To begin you will need a phone, computer, or any other device on which to search for existing artwork, a few pieces of blank paper and a pencil. Make a list of three artists that create work you greatly admire. If you have already created a Pinterest inspiration board like I have, go ahead an use it! If not, now is the time to investigate.

​I really recommend keeping it at only three and trying to select artists that produce very different types of artwork. Once you have finalized your list, and perhaps read a bit about each artist if you don't know about them already, analyze several of pieces of each, and write down four to five specific characteristics that you have found in each artist's work. 


My example:

a) Henri Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901)
French artist Toulouse-Lautrec was both a painter and an illustrator. He is known for his provocative paintings and drawings depicting the decadent Parisian nightlife, that he was a part of himself. He created many posters and advertisements for nightclubs including the Moulin Rouge, and elevated advertising to a fine art status. He was a skilled Post-Impressionist painter that experimented with a variety of techniques and supplies. In his posters, he made use of bold, flat shapes of color.

Characteristics of his work I really like:
-Roughness/raw quality of his work in both subject and technique
-Bold use of color, perhaps unnatural at times
-Variety of mediums and substrates used in his sketches and paintings (charcoal, pastels, oils, lithographs, graphite, crayons, canvas, paper, cardboard, etc. )
-Hand-lettering in posters 


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Portrait of Madame la Comtesse Adèle (1882). Charcoal on laid paper.
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Monsieur Louis Pascal (1891). Oil on board.
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May Milton (1895). Oil on cardboard.
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Ambassadeurs: Aristide Bruant Poster (1892). Colour lithograph.

b) Hannah Höch (1889-1978)
H
öch was a German visual artist that is considered the pioneer of the photomontage technique. Her work transmitted deeply rooted social and political messages regarding issues that were occurring at the time (sexism, war, etc.). Though she also worked with oil paints, she is primarily known for her bold collages created with images taken from fashion magazines as well as illustrated journals. Her work conveyed strong, important messages, but were humorous at the same time. 

Characteristics of her work I really like:
-Collage/photomontage technique (I think it's quite interesting how we can take bits and bobs of already existing images and create a whole new meaning for them by combining and rearranging them)
-Nonsensical feeling
-Charged with deep meaning about political/social issues but humorous at the same time
-Incorporation of popular elements into artwork


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The Bride (1927). Oil on canvas.
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Roma (1925). Oil on canvas.
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Love (1931). Photomontage.
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Cut with the Kitchen Knife through the Beer-Belly of the Weimar Republic (1919). Photomontage.


c) Edward Hopper (1882-1967)
Hopper was an American artist that started his artistic career as an illustrator and turned into a fine artist later on. He is considered to be one of the most important realist painters of the twentieth century. His enigmatic artwork depicts the loneliness of modern urban life in America. The arrangement of elements within his compositions, as well as his amazing use of light/shadow and detail, create very visually striking pieces that very effectively create tension and emotion in the viewer. 


Characteristics of his work I really like:
-Realist style but not literal copy (certain degree of interpretive rendering that makes artwork more expressive)
-Artwork tells a story or makes the audience think 
-Use of color and contrast creates very striking imagery
-Feeling of mystery and solitude 
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Automat (1927). Oil on canvas.
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Summer Evening (1947). Oil on canvas.
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Cape Cod Morning (1950). Oil on canvas.
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House by The Railroad (1925). Oil on canvas.


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Step #2:

​Alright! Once you have your three artists, and you have listed a few characteristics of each person's work, start brainstorming ideas in which you could incorporate most of these into one same piece. Create several different sketches! You don't have to use ALL of the points you've written down, but make sure to at least use one characteristic of each artist. 

Having trouble? Consider these tips.
-Start with the artist that uses subjects or styles that you have a bit of practice in already and then see how you can incorporate characteristics of the other two. 
-Instead of wasting too much time thinking of the overall idea you want your drawing/painting to transmit, start drawing ONE object/person/animal/shape and add to it as you go. You'll start making connections between the elements you start adding.
-After you have learned a bit about your favorite artists, think of an idea that is personal to YOU and YOUR LIFE, and then think about how one particular artist might go about representing that particular idea. 
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Step #3:

Once you have selected an idea to work with, go ahead and start with your final piece! Remember, this is an exercise and is not meant to produce a finalized artwork. As with all types of explorations, try to have fun with it and not pressure yourself to create something perfect. If a great idea for a final piece, awesome! If not, at least you learned something new!

My final exploration piece:
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Mixed-media collage. Keep Them Coming.


​After having sketched out a few different ideas, I selected one and created a composition in Photoshop using five different pictures. I used this (digital) collage as reference as I drew and painted. In this piece, I used a variety of supplies and techniques including watercolor pencils, Prismacolor Soft-Core pencils, Gamsol, watercolor paints, black gouache and even a bit of charcoal. 

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Some areas in the painting are purposely made to look more realistic and polished than others. Finally, I did my best to create an image that propelled the viewer to think about and interpret what he/she is seeing. 



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Which are your three favorite visual artists and what is it about their artwork you love so much? Do you think any of these characteristics can be found in your own work? I'd absolutely love it if you took a minute to comment below! 
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17 Comments
Charlotte Middleton
10/28/2017 11:21:22 am

I was intrigued by your article because I’ve been doing this very thing most of my life. I’m a 66 year old mixed media artist and retired art teacher. I have found that as the years pass some of my favorite artists rotate in and out of my style as new ones come in. I have often said “I’ve never had an original idea in my life because life is too influential”. Thank you for broadening my life with new thoughts and ideas. Go in peace and ART ON!

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Erika Lancaster
10/28/2017 10:21:33 pm

Hello Charlotte! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! It is very much appreciated! The author Chuck Palahniuk has this quote that I love in one of his books and what you just said reminded me of it!: “Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everyone I've ever known.” It's so true! Perhaps the secret to original artwork isn't no not be influenced by only one other artist, but to make sure that we are influenced by many different art forms at once? Thanks again and please do stay in touch!

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Elizabeth
2/25/2018 11:35:52 am

Hi Erika, I really like your mishmash idea. I paint watercolors and I have improved a lot over the last couple of years by practising a lot and fortunately having access to a fantastic, talented young teacher 10 mins. away. She has taught me to explore different uses of colours and subjects, and, ironically, having been convinced for years that I wanted to do landscapes in a particular way, now, having painted different subjects using different techniques, I don't know what I want to do! I feel rather "lost", but she said that this is not a problem, it is part of becoming an artist. At the same time, I also feel inspired but that I lack a lot of knowledge. However, I am just trying to enjoy all this (I am in my late 50s) put it all down as a journey through life. I will definitely try your technique.

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Erika Lancaster
2/26/2018 08:13:43 am

Hi Elizabeth,
It makes me happy to hear that you've been practicing watercolors for two years! That's fantastic!
I honestly feel like there's nothing better that you can be doing than experimenting both in terms of techniques and subjects, not only in the beginning of your art journey, but also throughout!
Most artists go through phases and, though many times artists seem to stick with particular subjects, it is great to keep challenging oneself and many pivot throughout their careers. I personally would be bored out of my mind if I stuck to only one thing! :O
Don't feel lost! No matter how amazingly talented an artist is, there will ALWAYS be more to learn!
I really feel that what matters most is that you are enjoying whatever subject it is your working on, that you constantly make time for challenge, and that you are doing what you're doing from the heart.
Thank you SOOO much for taking time to comment and I hope to see you back here soon! :)

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Lee @ Dragon'sEyeView link
4/20/2018 06:17:04 am

I do not spend time creating art the way I want to -- and this post was very inspirational to me to try. I have plenty of supplies so my kids can be creative...I just need to use them too!
I'm thinking "who ARE my 3 favorite artists??" -- Andrew Wyeth, John William Waterhouse, and ? Hmm...I will contemplate this and come back! :)

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Erika Lancaster
4/20/2018 09:09:02 am

Hi Lee,
Thanks so much for taking time to comment! I just LOVE hearing that I'm able to inspire someone out there to get out those art supplies! :)
It's SOOO amazing that you're encouraging your kids to be creative! I think it's incredibly important.
And yes, I think you should TOTALLY get into creating art again! Maybe, even, with your kids?
Andrew Wyeth is also one of my favorite artists. The way his pieces are able to tell a story us just so inspiring to me.
I would love hearing how your art-making goes for you!
Have a beautiful day!

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Michelle Bickers
10/25/2018 11:12:00 pm

I love this! I teach art survey-esque class to middle and high schoolers. In our once a week, two hour class, we practice drawing, have a focus art element, period of history, and artist, and then we work on a piece inspired by the focus artist. I love the students to know those who have influenced the art world and where they got their influence. However, I haven’t been known how to help them cross over to finding their own style. Your blog is great in helping develop these young artists, I can’t wait to share this with them!

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Erika Lancaster
10/26/2018 09:06:57 am

Hi Michelle,

Thanks so much for checking out this blog post of mine and also for taking time to comment!
It makes me very happy to hear that you found it helpful and that it gave you ideas for your classes! :) Your class sounds like something I would have GREATLY enjoyed when I was in high school
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I love a quote by Chuck Palahniuk: “Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everyone I've ever known.”
It makes me think of how all of us are influenced by others in all aspects in life, whether we're aware of it or not. I think that the trick to finding one's artistic voice is giving thought to what, exactly, talks to us about a particular artist's style and why. There's a lot of introspection involved in finding one's artistic style and voice, for sure!
It's the mixture/combination of things we're influenced by that leads to creating something truly original, I believe, whether it be visual arts, music, literature, cinema, or anything else.
Thanks again and take care! :)

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Camille Schultz
5/16/2021 11:16:31 am

Michelle, I have been teaching for a long time, but with coovid and all the demands of new tech, missed attendance, and the mentality that covid created, I have felt little space to bring out the best of my eaching and was beginning to lose heart. I also teach middle and high school , as well as K-12 in our small school. I like you simple layout for your 2 hour class. Would you be willing to share anymore about that? The layout of the day, resources you used etc. Also do you have a resource , or video you use to teach art careers?

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Camille Schultz link
5/16/2021 11:22:55 am

Michelle, I teach k-12 art in a small but progressive school. I love what you teach in your 2 hour class. Would be willing to share more about it? Also, do you have a video , or know of one that can be used to teach a lesson on art careers?

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Stan Quick
1/8/2019 08:26:50 am

Thanks once again! I have kept an Inspiration file for some time and was not sure why I chose some of them. You have given me a way to begin exploring in more detail. Always looking for ways to continue my renewed journey in painting. You have inspired me to continually explore and learn.

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Erika Lancaster
1/16/2019 08:35:28 am

Hi Stan,

I'm so happy to hear that you've found this post helpful and inspiring. Isn't it interesting how we're all drawn to different images and styles?
It's very powerful to collect images we're personally drawn to in some of way and then take time to study them every now and then.
A lot of the time we find obvious common threads amongst them and others that thread could be more in terms of subjective aspects (meaning of the piece/mood/etc).
By discovering all these things we can get lots of ideas we can use in our own work. :)

Thanks so much for your comment and do stay in touch!

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Geysel Minoso link
6/12/2020 12:22:03 pm

Hello,
I am a self taught artist located in Canada! I was on Google trying to understand why other artists feel we are copying them! And I came across your article! I do get my art inspiration from other artists, is that wrong? I mean, I use some of your techniques, I look at them not for their pieces but for their colors palette or the way they use an specific tool. I love exploring and create new collection every here and there. I love to switch my style and colors! I am learning more and more every day!
I believe I do not copy, I believe I get inspired and I just paint, I always figure out my own free way to end the piece. What do you think? What am I doing wrong? If I am wrong in any way. Thank you.

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Erika Lancaster link
6/14/2020 10:29:14 am

Hi, Geysel!
Thanks so much for checking out this blog post and taking time to leave your comment/questions.
I think every-single-one of us starts in art by copying artwork we admire. And doing artist studies, even after we've arrived at a certain skill level is also very helpful (the learning as artists never stops!).
This topic is a highly controversial one in the art world and, most likely, depending on what artist you ask, you'll get a different response. But here is my opinion:
In the beginning, it's okay to use other artists' finished paintings or illustrations to get inspiration from, as you build up your skills and confidence.
However, the sooner you're able to start taking your own art reference photos, start drawing or painting from direct observation (from life), and start looking into yourself to really begin discovering the influences and inspirations you already have inside of yourself, as opposed to always looking for it externally, the faster and deeper progress you'll make.
What's important to understand, is that tutorials we find online teach us technique. They help us gain mastery over our medium. But they don't teach us to come up with out own concepts or the project mentality that comes along with building an original artwork (coming up with a concept-creating thumbnails- doing a photoshoot or arranging our subject- doing isolated studies- preparing ourselves for the final piece, etc.- *Each artist's creative process is different*).
When we follow tutorials, we usually end up with carbon copies of the instructor's style or original piece, and depending on the artist that you're following, you may or may not even be legally able to share your final piece online because that composition, that concept, is theirs. *Some artists don't mind this as long as there is proper attribution and others do mind. I personally don't.*
It really depends how much of yourself your bringing into the process of creating the piece. Are you coming up with a concept and then looking for inspiration specifically on the concept you want to develop further, or are you mindlessly scrolling Pinterest or Instagram until something catches your eye and then you get to work? Are you ending up with a piece that would get easily recognized by the original artist (or fans of the artist)? Are you using your knowledge of Art Fundamentals- Composition, Elements and Principles of Art, etc. to change the original composition? Are you adding or removing elements to change the original message?
I don't think you're wrong by doing what you're doing. I think we all start that way. But, if you're looking to make deeper progress as an artist, the sooner you're able to build up things from scratch, the better! Whether this means taking your own photos to work from, creating your own still life arrangements to draw or paint from direct observation, or doing everything from your imagination.

Keep on going, Geysel! And don't be overly worried about this. Gain a bit of mastery over your medium, as well as confidence, and then go deeper.

Hope this helps! Have a lovely day. :)

Erika

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Geysel link
6/14/2020 02:50:12 pm

Hello Erika
ABSOLUTELY this helps me trying to understand what I was doing!
And yes, before I go into my studio, I scroll Instagram for color pallette and YouTube for techniques. However I believe how you mentioned that we are all growing everyday and I am still trying to find myself. I would most definitely start from scratch without looking from articles and videos.
I actually find myself lately take pictures of my backyard and parks.
I started to get the idea of life painting as my next option to overcome my fears of feeling that I am not original!
Thank you so much, I would definitely keep you posted how this new journey will go! 😍

Molly link
1/5/2021 04:46:29 pm

Thank you for this article, very helpful!

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Erika Lancaster link
8/3/2021 09:24:10 pm

Thanks for reading, Molly!
Glad it was helpful. :)

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