ITAP Lecture- Week 7

Development of Creative Thought and Structure in Illustration and Graphic Art.

Overcoming Mindset- Relaxing your Habitual Thinking Patterns

References; Illustration now!, artnet.com, altpick.com,

When you are given a brief, there is an instant setup in many practitioners’ minds that is a set routine- with a stringent way and method of approaching a brief. This could also be known as habitual thinking, which is what we are familiar with, what feels safe and “correct”, what we have been taught, which can lead to predictable results, so by experimenting with your work ,it can lead to more fresh and new ideas emerging.

To break this down, there are three steps;

 1. Think about rules to break, 2. Challenge and change the rules- is there a motive, reason behind it? 3. Be playful and free with your work, don’t be convectional.

These steps may alter the way in which we process and develop our work.

Below are some examples in which illustrators and designers have twisted and adapted tan image into their own style and humour to create individuality.  

Artist Gary Baseman is a good example of this, as  his style of drawing is quite soft and childlike, but the context of his work can be suggested to be ominous, but at the same portrays humour.

The key to this is, from referring to Baseman’s work, use your own imagination and thoughts, and this is where your individuality and originality will emerge, resulting in very unique and sometimes accidental style artwork that may work successfully.  

Managing a Creative Environment

References;city-arts.org.uk, alberta.inetgiant.ca, in-kamiya.jp, easeysartists.com

Being a practitioner is not just being a creative thinker, although this is a major part of the working process. It is also influences around you in terms of the world around us, personal interests, culture and many other things. And it also comes in the form of where the practitioner works, the atmosphere and environment, to create their pieces.

In addition to this, many artists collect materials, and other items that they are interested in or think it would benefit them in their work.

I have found some examples that indicate how different and varied each individual practitioner is in terms of their workspace and preference on how they work.

With this particular studio space I have found, it is a large empty conversion building, and with the work the practitioner is using, it is very fitting as it is large scale pieces of work.

Concerning the following image, it is quite a small special area, but the walls are adorned with patterns and art work as good inspiration in your direct view.

This artist is literally surrounded by their work, and they are immersed in the work they are doing, that suggests passion and the constant turnover of work that is being developed here.

With this studio, there are a lot of technical equipment and storage space. There is no real sense of character or personality compared to the previous studios shown, as no work is displayed. It shows how focussed the practitioner is to completing the tasks set.

Concerning studio space, it depends on budget and preference as well, what suits you and is fitting to you. Whether you want to be organised and store your work away, or display it all over your work space to inspire your following art pieces.