Artistic Borrowing

When I have a commission, or in this instance, an assignment, I often begin the process by looking through my vast file of other artist's work, as well as perusing the web for other images that inspire me. Often, I take an idea here and there and meld it into my own. I have felt this is due to my inexperience as an artist until I discovered that others who have been in the industry a long time do this as well. Many also search through Classic paintings to help with the creative process. Even the greats are guilty of borrowing themes and poses from each other, particularly when certain art movements were influencing the art world, such as the Pre-Raphaelites brotherhood.
I've been preparing for my assignments for IMC (in two weeks...gulp!) and came upon these two paintings. Do you see any similarities? The top one is by John W. Waterhouse, one of my favorites. The second is by Cory and Catska Ench, another fav. The Ench's have certainly made it their own, but their book cover was undoubtedly influenced by Waterhouse. Of course the way to avoid this problem is to take your own photo references and poses.
The rules change when using copyrighted photos. In my previous post (Revised Dazed and Confused), I showed a piece of fan art I did for Twilight using a photo of a model I found somewhere on the web. (This was prior to my computer crash so I can't find the source). Though I changed the face, the eyes, the clothes, I was still worried that I would run into copyright problems. The drawing below is my attempt at revising the drawing with my own photo reference. My thanks to Jeff, doctor-son-in-law for posing... and no, his eyes are not golden.

New Sketch for IMC

We have received our assignments for IMC in June. One of them is a children's story by Jane Yolan about a Tooth Fairy who quits and Mr. Molar, who has to replace her. Here is my first concept done in Photoshop. (Someday I will have a laptop and be able to sketch away on my Wacom where ever I go). I now have to work on the background and his clothes. In this sketch, Mr. Molar is wondering how he will ever get the TF's wings to fit, let alone work with his considerable girth.

Yet Another Fred

One more of Fred to try out a mouse color. The mouse is roughed in to see if the colors work. I've had some feedback from concerned children that the mouse might be real so I went with the polka dots as well as a strong color to dispell any worries. Anyone who knows me, knows I would never put a dead mouse in any picture. (I even take spiders outside rather than kill them). Hopefully, I will receive approval for the picture soon and I can finish up in time for printing. Remember this is a photo; not a scan. Colors are slightly off due to lighting.

[EDIT: Author requested that I go back to the grey tones on the cat tree and I changed the mouse colors again. Sorry Erinne. Had to go with my instincts on this one].

New Book Cover

I have another book cover commission. This one is about Fred, A Grand Cat. I'm using pastel on an Ampersand panel. I first applied a coat of acryla gouache to define the background and the dark values on the cat. Next I began the application of the pastel, beginning with the harder, Nupastels and then followed with softer pastels. It may be messier than colored pencils but it's sure alot faster. I plan to finish the cat tree and mouse and then work on the background and fill in more detail on Fred on the morrow.

Illustartist

Almost forgot, IllustArtist launched this week. Last year, Imola Unger approached a number of artists from John Howe's fan art site to see if she could represent them as an agent. Hopefully, it will be mutually beneficial for both artist and agent. Take a look and see the vast global range her choice of artists represent.

Season Maiden Update

Update on Season Maiden. All the details have been drawn. Thinking about a higher placement of the cords blowing out from the dress. ??? Also looks like the hands need to be slightly larger. The hands in our family run large, so I'm always compensating, but perhaps I did too much.
(sorry Audrey...you can blame me for the "man-hands")

Season Maiden-Autumn

On to the next project. Here is the first of the Season Maidens. This is Autumn.

Thumbnails for Future Projects

Here are some of the thumbnails for Dallas's portrait and one for the Eragon illustration.

The Season Maidens

One of the goals I have this year is to prepare a plan to become a legitimate illustrator...someone that an art director would consider hiring. I know I have to work very hard to get there. Quarterly postcards are one means of contacting AD's, so I thought I would do a series of Season Maidens....sort of an earth goddess theme. I have always been a fan of Alphonse Mucha and thought I would attempt a similar design approach. Fortunately, I have four daughters who are willing victims to model for each season. Here is the first I will try to do. This is Audrey, my third daughter and she is the Goddess of Fall. Would you believe she is blonde under that wig?! I will have the thumbnails up later.