Drawing from inspiration
Richard Scarry Edition
An Inspiration Corner:
Last week I wrote a blog about my inspiration corner
In the coming week I’ll be drawing from it.
I particularly aim to be inspired by the work of Richard Scarry. I have a collection of ten of his beloved books, my goal is to read them with a critical eye, and note down what I notice. I imagine my notes will mention:
Interesting Vehicles like Cheese Car and Apple Car
Anthropomorphised animals in human clothing
Over the top actions scenes
And so on…
My approach will then be to use these notes as inspiration on what to draw. But honestly at the back of my mind I want to draw fun animals in vehicles.
Here’s your drawing prompt: Animals in funny cars
You could draw your own version to the cars in this picture, one a day.
Or you could totally make up your own!
Share your Drawings here:
A note on using inspiration.
Embrace your influences, acknowledge them, shout them out!
I feel super fortunate that some of my influences read this newsletter! - We’re part of a community learning and growing together!
Study the techniques, styles, and perspectives of the artists you admire
When it comes to an art education, the curriculum seems endless, where do you start? I recommend starting with your influences, what are the techniques they use what are their ideas?
Learn and synthesise those inspirations with your own unique experiences and point of view. This is how you develop your own distinct creative voice and signature style
In the end your most meaningful work will come from within but you discover that by looking at the work of others. The thing about copying (as a human) is that you cannot make perfect copies. Your humanity makes whatever you copy become your own.
And when you copy from a range of influences, you start to have your own voice.
The world needs your voice.
PS:
I’m working on a gift for all subscribers in October find out more here.
I remember, when I was a kid, two friends of mine and a cousin had a bunch of Richard Scarry books. I don't know why we didn't have any - did people think they were especially aimed at boys perhaps, as all the copies I remember seeing were owned by boys? I would sit for hours going through them and finding all the little details in the pictures. Great inspiration!
OMG Richard Scarry is one of my favs! I used to read his books to my kids 50 years ago because I loved them. We had a set of 5 books, and the kids literally wore them out. I think that's why they all became avid readers. I didn't think anyone remembered him. I especially loved his Story Book Dictionary. I still chuckle about his definition (or more accurately, demonstration) of "anything". Mother is giving Babykins a bath. Mother is wearing a raincoat. Babykins isn't wearing anything.