For my new project, I need to generate lots and lots of different characters, all of them young animals, so I've been sketching cute little creatures as they come to me, almost doodling around the theme really.
I confess, I find this hard to do in a void. I know some people just open the floodgates it all flows out (lucky devils), but I usually need inspiration to kick-start me and to stop myself going round in circles.
I generally browse publisher's catalogues to get things going. These are bristling with wonderful images, and they always get me excited and begin to spark ideas, like: 'Oo, of course - baby pandas!' or 'Mmm, a dressing up box might work well for me too...' or 'Aha! So that's why mine doesn't look like a monkey!'The trick is not to copy other people's drawings or ideas, but use them as a jumping off point. VERY important that! I sometimes make a note of any images that inspire me, so I can go back later and double check that none of the source material remains.
I don't know if any of these sketches I've done will make it into the final book, but I certainly feel far more loosened up as a result!
10 comments:
It's fantastic to see these pages from your sketchbook, Lynne. I find this sort of stuff very exciting, it's like a 'sneak preview' of the goodies to come! excellent post! (More plaese - all the little animals are adorable!)
I like too these kind of posts. I learn a lot from them. Thank you. :)
They are already so cute !
Thankyou so much for letting us peep into your sketchbook! What I worry about is if I accidently reproduce somnething that I think is my own invention, when I might have seen it before and forgotten that I'd seen it before (if that makes any sense!) How do you get around this?
Thanks Guys!
Jessie - you're not alone in that concern, but you can't afford to dwell on it, or it would be stifling. You have to rely on the fact that, even if the idea did unwittingly originate in someone else's work, you would ultimately make it yours anyway and take it in a new direction.
nice sketches lynne! i do the same thing when i am in a void, i like to get nice and inspired by going through some source materials then off to the sketchbook.
Thanks Lynne! I have been struggling with a particular piece of late and your ideas have inspired me. I think I will head to the library today for research. :)
Yes, it´s a great post. It seems (to me) your animal characters appears easily for you... They are splendids!
I think all that sketchbook drawing I have been doing lately has really helped - new projects can often be like pulling teeth!
Fabulous idea! I hadn't thought of that before, but it's an excellent exercise. I'm sure there are elements here and there -- these eyes, this stance, that mouth -- that you can pull together for something wonderful and original.
Your illustrations are absolutely fantastic and fun!
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