The Process Of Artistic Creation

By: [Lord Josmar]


One thing that has always interested me about artists/writers is the process in which they make their creations. The "Artistic Process" is similar with some people, but at the same time can vary widely. I asked several artists/writers that I know if they would share with me their artistic process and this is the answers I got.




[Flisky]

When I'm writing, I like to take wordless orchestrated music that matches the tone of the part I'm writing. It's better when I can sit near a window and look out on the day. If it's a rainy day, I'll tackle a portion that is sad or angry. If it's a sunny day, I'll take care of the happy or mundane. It's the same way with my drawings. I always, always, always have music on. Without it, I have no creative spark at all. Most of the time the music becomes background noise to whatever I'm doing, and when I look at it later, I can still hear the music that was playing at the time.



[Chel]

Usually it involves a lot of brainstorming. Then sketches.
Thumbnails are worked out from a chosen sketch, working out details on composition, form and shape. Then final lineart, then I put it in Photoshop and do the rest from there.

More often I'm just randomly sketching until I see something I like and want to expand on it. I often really have to work on the composition of a piece the longest.

A lot of people think artists can just whip out anything...and that there are always those "ah-hah!" moments. Far from it actually. Making art... making GOOD art takes a lot of time, effort and practice.



[Evolution X]

I have usually drawn from several different areas, I never like to take everything from one particular source, but sometimes a form or a certain subject will stick in my head. Mostly I like to find something, something interesting and, perhaps over used, and I like to twist it. I think Terry Pratchett has influenced me quite a bit.... just with the way he approaches subjects, twisting the normal form and pushing new and old values together.



[jacen81]

Well, first off, thank you for asking. My artwork has always been more in the sci-fi realm, with a bit of fantasy. My main focus has been on creating alien wildlife and my biggest inspiration has been Wayne fantasy. My main focus has been on creating alien wildlife and my biggest inspiration has been Wayne Barlowe. Most people are not familiar with the name, but most have seen his work (HellBoy 1&2, Avatar, etc...). etc...) As for me, any work that I create has to make sense biologically, as in it has to be functional. I will create wild and fantastic creatures straight out of my imagination, but they should be able to move and function like anything you would see on our world Usually, I will start with a blank sheet of paper, and a rough idea of the type of creature I am creating. I will ask myself questions like, is it aquatic? is it carnivorous? These will then affect what the design. I will rough-sketch with basic shapes, loose and flowing, almost as if I am a sculptor chipping away to find the form beneath When I have the basic shape I will consider features, will it have fur, scales, thorns, skin, etc...? Will it have 2,3,4, eyes or maybe none As the shape takes form I will add layers of detail until I have a completed design I will often do alternate views to help showcase form And thats what I do in a nutshell



[kamisch]

Well, often it's just a random word or phrase that strikes something in my mind, or a picture...some times even something someone else has written, from poems, songs, stories - anything. The word evokes an image in my mind, but it's like...the image is made out of other words. And all I'm trying to do is recognize the words and sentences, hold on to as many of them as I can and hope I realized enough of them to tell a story that makes sense. Sometimes this all happens at once. There have been nights when I spit out 3 or more poems at once. Other times, I only find fragments, and the story gets set on hold until the original inspiration returns and I can try again - there are still some works I have that have been waiting for years! When it comes to drawing...I try to just clear my head and let the pencil do the work. But before...not the image itself vanishes, but before the need to share it leaves. So, just like with my writings, I have several drawings and paintings that I've started on, but can't complete until the mood strikes again



[The Dizzy Raven]

Growing up I became fascinated with dinosaurs, which led to dragons and eventually fantasy. When I create, I always have an inspiration whether it be emotions, nature, animals, or music. My deep love for fantasy is what drives me to create things no one has seen with the naked eye. I'm fascinated with the unknown. For instance, dragons are my favorite subject to draw because there is so much you can do with them. There are so many appearances that fit the title "dragon". I also admired (still do) the works of numerous great artists both widely known and unknown. On my spare time I develop my own worlds and universes at home for several books and stories that I currently have in process. There's one that I've been working on for approximately 7-8 years.

Like most artists and writers, I normally begin with an inspiration (typically from music) and then I have a random burst of interest to draw or write. Sometimes it takes me days upon weeks in order to develop a plan for an art piece or a story line. I'm also a little bit of a perfectionist. lol But if I have an interest in drawing but don't know what to draw, I'll take walks through the woods around home or I'll just lie back while listening to music that fits my mood until I can come up with something new.



[Ms. Steel]

.. For me, artistic process comes in a variety of forms and sometimes it is contingent on the type of project Professional, personal, etc. Some people will nitpick on the actuality of art for art's sake as opposed to art for commercial sake, but, personally, there is little difference, ultimately, between the two. It's all art to me Pardon for my digression. From a professional standpoint, I am costume designer, and my process follows a fairly typical path: Read the play, discuss the play with the director and other project designers (scenery, sound, lights), research art photographs, inspirational images related to the director's desired vision of the play (including, but not limited to, time period, color scheme and mood), sketch preliminary designs, finalize designs after the director gives the go-ahead. Of course, depending upon the director, you may be collaborating on an ever-evolving piece of performance art (which, frankly, all art is [ or should be] constantly evolving/never really finished. Otherwise what would be the point?) Generally speaking, though, for both my profession art and other arts (personal art, art for fun, art as a gift or art as catharsis) there are a plethora of methods to get the ball rolling-- or the pencil sketching, as it were Existing art-- paintings, sculpture, drawings, sketches, graffiti-- is easily the most accessible way to not only find inspiration, but to better one's self at whatever artistic endeavor one desires to pursue. Of course, the not-so-tangibl find inspiration, but to better one's self at whatever artistic endeavor one desires to pursue. Of course, the not- so-tangibl e is also always readily available to help with my creative process. Poems, a line from a song, stories so-tangibl e is also always readily available to help with my creative process. Poems, a line from a song, stories they are all also helpful if I find myself needing to draw, but need a little assistance