COLUMNIST
ABOVE Laura
Boswell, Divided
Cliff, St Abbs Head,
linocut, 54x60cm
style, colours, or technique will
resonate. I am on the hunt for
inspiration all the time and I often
find it in unlikely mediums, such as
textiles, ceramics or sculpture.
The wider the range of your
experience, the more opportunities
you will have to find ideas and the
less likely you are to become fixed on
one artist and tempted to bend your
work to their style.
As you consume art (so easy with
access to the internet and Artists &
Illustrators), be analytical: ask what it
is about an artist that you love? Once
you get over that awestruck feeling for
another artist’s work and dig down
into the details, you’ll find the
specifics you can incorporate into
your own work. Recognising that it is
a particular colour combination or
trick of composition that excites you
is a nicely practical starting point for
improving your skills.
Spotting these inspiring little
snippets from a wide range of artists
and weaving them into your own
artwork is a world away from copying
and, since the combination of sources
will be utterly unique to your taste,
this habit will help you to develop your
individual style, not stifle it.
A practical tip I always follow is to
study the artist or work you admire
carefully, then put all references away
andturntomakingyourownwork.
Withouttheinspiringmasterpiecein
frontofyoutodistractyou,youwill
naturallyremember,andfocusupon,
thedetailsthatreallyresonatewith
youratherthanseeingtheartworkas
a whole.Plus,youcanshakefreeof
anyfeelingofinferiorityoncethegem
is hidden;somethingI alwaysfind
veryhelpful.
Lauraco-hostsa podcast,AskanArtist.
Listentonewepisodesatwww.artists
andillustrators.co.uk/askanartistSpotting
inspiring little
snippets is a
world away
from copying
This month, our columnistLAURA BOSWELL has
some tips to help you draw the line between
takinginspiration andtakinglibertiesB
eing inspired by another artist
is very different from copying
their work. I am the first to
admit that, like many of you, I am
constantly looking, learning and being
inspired by other creatives of all
kinds, but, hand on heart, I’m never
tempted to copy another person’s
work. Here are a few thoughts for
tapping into the brilliance of fellow
artists to benefit your work and yourindividual style, without the danger
of becoming an imitator.
It’s important to relax and feel you
can look and learn from other artists.
No one is born able to make art any
more than cook or ride a bike. We all
learn and the more art you see, the
deeper your understanding for the
possibilities of your own practice.
Be a magpie; chances are there are
an infinite number of artists whose
Artists & Illustrators 27