My illustrations (Instagram)
This is about my understanding and practice of “stealing like an artist”. As an illustrator, I create a style while my inspiration and themes, of course, come from what already exists in this world. Here are the three stages I had in learning from others’ work and then using it as creative elements.
In the first stage, when I just started learning how to draw, what I saw from others’ works was often restricted to quite superficial techniques. I focused primarily on mimicking the color scheme, the texture, and the handling of shapes and forms within the artwork. This method, while useful in understanding the more visible aspects of the piece, often limited my perspective.
In the second stage, what I see is the artists’ messages. As I’d spent more time observing and thinking, especially after repeatedly viewing the work of a seasoned artist, a new layer began to unfold. I realized Beneath the techniques of the artworks lies a deeper, more profound message. It is a message that the artist is determined to communicate to the world, one that reflects their unique vision and perspective. Once I began to perceive and understand this emotional layer, the process of imitation became more intuitive. It was no longer about copying the visible elements but about capturing the way they giving the underlying emotion and message.
Now in the third stage, I convey my own messages with visual references that have influenced me for a long time. I believe that originality comes from the heart, not the hands. The wellspring of endless inspiration is not the external world, but our own inner selves. It comes from understanding the message that we truly wish to convey to the world and then expressing it in the most authentic and truthful manner. It’s about finding the intersection between our artistic skills and our deepest emotions, and using that to create art that resonates with others.
There’s nothing new under the sun. All artists are influenced by others. The little spark of originality, or the human soul beneath the artwork, is the message we obsess over all our lives. It’s told through some subtle art style signature.
Find your message, share it with the world, and you’re an ARTIST.
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