No art this week, I’ve been mostly lying around the house recovering from an old back injury that flared up on Monday morning for no identifiable reason other than it felt like ruining my week. ::puts on grumpy face::
However, I still have art I haven’t shared from earlier this year and this piece demonstrates why you can not work alone and why you need other artists’ art work in your life.
I was pretty stagnant in my art early this year. I had time off work, but I think last year’s crazy schedule burnt me out a little and nothing was working for me very well for the first six months. Then we bought the new television. I love my new television, I have raved about it in another post and the wonderful Draw with Jazza. You wouldn’t believe the impact that guy has had in our house – the kids have gone nuts for copic markers (I’m thinking Santa may be spending some time in the art shop this year). But I took the chance to sit back on my comfy new lounge in front of my fabulous new TV and explore art.
I came across this artist – Ryan O’Rourke – and watched a couple of his ten minute painting videos and eventually stumbled across this one.
So I had me a completed painting 😀 I wouldn’t necessarily call it a good painting, but it did what I needed it to do – it got me arting. This was 23 July 2017. On 25 July, I did this:
Which became this:
And from that came a video, teaching me important skills and forcing me to revive my little YouTube channel. Follow me on YouTube, I have evil plans 😀
26 July saw this happen:
Which also has a better and faster video than the previous one. All the while, I’m learning new skills.
My little train of inspiration sent me of on another painting which I haven’t really shared here yet, so I’ll save that for another post, and an array of little video adventures along the way. But the key point here is that it got me going and through several paintings and all the stamps work over the last few months, I have been producing, because I got that kickstart.
If you get stuck, often watching other artists or immersing yourself in others’ art can set off that elusive inspiration needed to send you running for your paints.
Now a quick note on plagiarism. I don’t recommend copying another’s work. I will admit that I’m of two minds as to whether I should offer my cherry blossom painting for sale (if anyone would want it). It was really the original artist’s idea and although mine doesn’t look much like his and I added elements that differ from his (and mine isn’t anywhere as good as his), I’m not sure I’m comfortable claiming it as fully mine. What do you think?
In any case – never copy artwork directly then claim the result as yours – this includes working from photographs. Always use your own photographs, or request permission from the original photographer to make derivative works – and they have the right to ask for money if you do want to use such a photo. This includes anything off of Google images that doesn’t have the correct licensing information (some photos can be used, but always, always check the license before using for art you would like to sell).
One good place to get photos is pixabay.com or you can pay for a photo from any stock photo website (check the license you purchase to make sure you can do what you want to do with the photo). For human forms and life drawing, I can highly recommend purchasing from posespace.com (not work safe, contains nudity, but in a artistic professional manner), their prices are very reasonable and affordable.
And that went a little off track into copyright land…oops. Anyway, there is a great deal of value in joining a community of artists like Paint Party Friday or even a group that physically meets regularly. It helps to share the inspiration (one of the reasons I post here on my website – Art is a journey best shared). Or even just opening an art magazine or visiting a gallery, seeing others’ inspiration can easily set off your’s like fireworks.
And I can pretty much say that the above line of fire sent me into posting on this website again and hence sharing a little of my own with everyone one else. Pass on the inspiration!
This is my submission for this week’s Paint Party Friday, so go over there and get yourself inspired.
Art always!
Best wishes,
Liz
Comments
19 responses to “The importance of others’ art in your art practice”
Beautiful art
Thank you, Clare 😀
Best wishes,
Liz
Oh ouch, you poor thing! I loved your post this week though, very inspiring. Happy PPF!
Thank you so much 😀 I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m getting better, thankfully, though it did throw a spanner in the works for the whole week, drat it.
Thanks for dropping by and happy PPF!
Best wishes,
Liz
I love the way you painted the scenery in soft pink colours and your studio is amazing, so many art supplies, very inspiring.
Thanks, Marijke 😀 It was a colour selection quite outside my norm, so exploring new things 😀
Thanks for dropping by and leaving such a kind comment.
Best wishes,
Liz
Beautiful colours! It’s a lovely painting! I think it’s wonderful to learn from others for sure. I use photo refs all of the time in my art. I buy licenses from places like Female Anatomy for Artists. Then I don’t have to worry. I also like to do master studies and those are exact copies but the artists are long dead and I trade the art so it all works out fine. 🙂
Thank you, Sal 😀 Yes, it does pay to make sure all your photo refs are legit. There have been copyright cases online that make it totally worth being in the right at all times.
Thank you for your kind comments and for dropping by.
Best wishes,
Liz
Liz I am so sorry to hear about your back. I am sending healing energy and prayers for you. Your art is always so beautiful and inspiring. Take care.
Thank you, Nicole 😀 It is getting better, I’m back at work tomorrow, so it better be 😀
Thanks so much for dropping by and for you wonderfully kind comments. I hope everything is well in your corner of the planet.
Best wishes,
Liz
Love your art. For me copying other artists art is a great way to get out of the doldrums and to learn. I never sell these, I tend to paint over them or trash them. I love watching videos of arts it is fascinating to watch the different ways we handle paint. These days most of my paintings come out of my head so no problem with copyright, lol.
Yes, arting without reference is wonderfully freeing…and a little scary for me. My little perfectionist streak gets all antsy and I need to shove it under a rock to shut it up.
Thank you for dropping by and for your kind comments about my art. 😀
Best wishes,
Liz
Sorry about my our back, but love the art you have made. The photos on my blog can always be used freely, so you are welcome to use anything you like. Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie
You are very kind, Valerie-Jael 😀 The back is getting better and I’ll be back at work tomorrow.
Hope you are having a great weekend. Thanks so much for dropping by and for you kind comments.
Best wishes,
Liz
You did manage to create this blossom and hang onto your own style…love these colours too. Your birds are brilliant as well!! So glad you found your creative mojo again!! I think it just stikes and on we go!! Good advice about copyrights!!
Peace Giggles
When it doesn’t strike we need to hunt it down 😀 Thanks so much, Giggles, for you kind comments and for dropping by my website.
Best wishes,
Liz
awww, so sorry sweetie that you’re back is out. I so totally know your pain. Your cherry blossom tree is gorgeous, we have many, many here in Nanaimo, just gorgeous time of year in the spring.Visiting From PPF. Oh, my new blog is now live on my new wordpress site (justaddwatersilly.com) and I’m doing a giveaway tomorrow (Sunday). The giveaway will include a DIY Altoids tin with magnetic half pans, pencil & eraser, Hahnemuhle Grey Book toned paper sketchbook, Micron sigma pens, a Grumbacher watercolor brush and a bee magnet! Hope to see you there!
It’s fantatstic to see the video and to see as well what you did in 30 minutes. A wonderful picture that spreads so much vitality and beauty. I also love your birds so much and I hope your back will be better soon. I know exacly what you are talking about. I often have a bad back too. I also love your messy studio! I am sute one can find countless treasures and inspiration there.
The birds are fantastic , I would love to know the kind they are. So many different birds in different areas. The Pink painting is lovely. Blessings, Janet