Two Clever Ways to Take Inspiration from Other Artists Without Copying Them — Caryl Fine Art (2024)
If you’re an artist, I can guarantee that you take inspiration from other artists. Whether you’re inspired by the “late greats” like Van Gogh or Picasso or you’ve been greatly impacted by your art teachers (including me) or wonderful artists you’ve discovered on social media, your mind is filled with ideas for art that have sprung from the artworks of others. And that’s ok—it’s natural.
However, what’s not ok is copying other artists wholesale. First, it’s wrong from a copyright infringement perspective (if you’re copying very closely). And if you’re not copying exactly but your art looks too much like that of another, you’re being unoriginal and not bringing forward your own voice.
But what’s a developing artist to do? We look to other artists for education and inspiration but we need a strategy for how to develop our own original work in the process. Here are two smart ways to do this:
1. Take the Buffet Approach
When my family attends a big buffet brunch, you can be sure that we all return to the table with vastly different plates of food. My plate will be composed of half yummy fruit, an egg, and a slice of bacon. My brother’s plate will be half bacon (don’t tell his doctor!), some asparagus, and a deviled egg. Meanwhile my husband will have hit the charcuterie board and have a selection of cheeses and meats, along with a bagel. You get the idea!
You can use this approach when it comes to being inspired by other artists. Perhaps you like the color palette of one artist, and you mix it with the mark making inspiration from another artist, along with a layering technique inspired by yet another artist. By cobbling together your own unique “buffet plate” from a variety of artists, you are sure to create your own original artwork without copying those artists.
A muse is a person who provides creative inspiration to a person of the arts (such as a writer, artist, composer, and so on) or sometimes in the sciences. In the course of history, these have usually (but not necessarily) been women. The term is derived from the Muses, ancient Greek goddesses of inspiration.
from another artist is to take what's inspiring you (a color palette, a mark, a composition style, etc.)and put your own spin on it. This means that you copy that aspect, but not before you alter it in some way. This puts your individual stamp on it.
Instead of directly using the same techniques employed by the artist, experiment with different artistic techniques. You might still be inspired by their “beach-themed art”, for example, but using a different technique will help you to develop your own distinct style within that theme.
To avoid getting stuck on the same approach and technique, always make sure you go through a variety of sources. Try to pull inspiration from many people and platforms rather than just sticking to one or two sources.
The key to being inspired by but not copying other artists is this…you choose the bits and pieces that you like from other artists, from your own trial and error, from your own experience, from your own environment and put it all together to create something that ONLY YOU CAN CREATE!
Another way to take inspiration from another artist is to take what's inspiring you (a color palette, a mark, a composition style, etc.) and put your own spin on it. This means that you copy that aspect, but not before you alter it in some way. This puts your individual stamp on it.
Feel free to stray outside your field: looking at visual artworks can inspire better creative writing, for example. Copying others' work is also a good way to start thinking of your own ideas.
We'll start with a definition (hey, this is all about the meaning of the two words, right?). Inspiration is defined as the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially creative. On the other hand, copying is defined as an imitation or reproduction of an original.
When we are inspired by something, we take an idea or concept and make it our own. We build on it, adding our own unique perspective and creativity to create something new and original. In contrast, when we simply copy something, we replicate it without any original thought or innovation.
How to inspire creativity: 10 ways to make the magic happen.
Go on a walk and take photos. Just get out of the house with your phone or a camera and challenge yourself to look at your surroundings in a new way. ...
It's about creating something that speaks to people and moves them in some way. It's about creating something that captures the essence of the world and allows us to see it in a new light. A good artist has the power to inspire, challenge, and move us, which is truly special.
If you find a photo that you'd like to use as inspiration but it's not in the public domain or covered by a suitable Creative Commons license, you can contact the copyright owner to request permission.
Unfortunately, your style cannot be copyrighted; artists are free to make their own works in a style similar to yours, but if they are imitating another artist, they are never going to enjoy the same success. They are just proving to the world that they don't have what it takes to be original.
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Introduction: My name is Msgr. Benton Quitzon, I am a comfortable, charming, thankful, happy, adventurous, handsome, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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