So I've been trying to find my own "style". It seems that I've been looking for it for a long time with no luck. Then the other day I had an epiphany... I think I have actually had a "style" for years but I've been trying to paint realistically and have unintentionally brought a lot of undue stress onto myself. In trying to paint like Donato, Rebecca, Scott etc. I lost my own voice which was barely audible as it was. Doing a lot of research and talking with Madeline about licensing and artists who do quite well for themselves with licensing has had me thinking in a different way about my own work. Oddly enough it opens me up to a lot of freedom. Could I really make a living painting and drawing what I love and want to create rather than deal with being art directed? Even though this girl is just a beginning idea, it's the way I always used to draw. My question to everyone is this, "Is the natural way that I draw too elementary? Is it worthwhile in your opinions to go more toward this direction?
Goblin Girl take One
from
Corina St. Martin
26 November 2009
9 comments:
Absolutely Corina! I've always believed that ones' work will *always* be better if one follows ones' own muse and ones' own voice. Explore this further.
I don't see this as elementary at all. It has emotion and interest in line. Even your choice to crop on a diagonal adds motion to the composition. Even if it is a simple portrait. Have you seen Mark Ryden and Melissa Haslam? You might want to check them out. They have a innocent appeal to their characters with a twist. You style reminds me a little of these two.
http://www.melissahaslam.com/
http://markryden.com/
Thanks so much Tara and Christina, that makes me feel much better. I'll take a look at those websites. I've heard of Ryden but I can't remember his work. I remember artists work more than I ever remember their name. lol
I remember something Greg Manchess said about students trying to discover their "style". He said some of them were so busy trying to be original that they forgot to be authentic. Being true to your own voice and not an imitation is a worthy goal, Corina.
Darn girl! Draw what you draw! She's beauty with plenty of emotion and movement. Check out Eric Orchard. He has a very individual style - mostly b&w - and he even got into Spectrum. It kind of reminds me of Eric Fortune, too! Sketch on! I'm happy I was some help is any way.
Thanks Kim, it's a so frustrating when you don't trust in your own voice. I think that since I didn't go to art school or even have any real art classes that everything I've done has felt unworthy. Silly as that sounds it's true. But I've learned so much since the first IMC and it's finally starting to sink in. :-)
Thanks Matz! That's an awesome compliment! And yes, you've been a huge help. :-)
Be you and let your art reflect that.
Gotta agree with what everyone has said above. Every word of it good advice. Personally I love seeing totally natural, unique styles that don't "try too hard". I know how hard it is to find your own, though. I kind of had one once, but working in someone elses style for decades lost it. I see so many others trying to "adopt" the style-of-the-minute, and their work turns out a bit dull and lifeless. Not so with your drawing. Keep up the great work!
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