How to Copy Well
When copying an art style, break it down into what's visible and invisible.
Remember that there are things you can see and things you can't see but think you
can see, let's call these assumptions.
can see, let's call these assumptions.
The assumptions usually make it difficult to copy well.
In order to emulate a very complex art style you want to be able to distinguish the things you can see and what you assume.
So how do you do this if you're drowning in a sea of assumptions?
Look for the no-brainers.
How to Find No-Brainers
Break down the physical characteristics of the artwork you want to copy.
Some visual characteristics to consider include lines, what kind of lines do you see?
Then ask the same question for other elements like shape, texture & the medium used.
Look for the no-brainers.
How to Find No-Brainers
Break down the physical characteristics of the artwork you want to copy.
Some visual characteristics to consider include lines, what kind of lines do you see?
Then ask the same question for other elements like shape, texture & the medium used.
Does it portray figures or not? What colours are used? How are they used?
Does a specific colour stand out? Ask 'WHAT' questions.
By finding the no-brainers you can better understand the ingredients that make the art style. Finding the no-brainer is like going to the grocery store and buying the groceries that will allow you to recreate that meal you saw online. No ingredients no meal.
Does a specific colour stand out? Ask 'WHAT' questions.
By finding the no-brainers you can better understand the ingredients that make the art style. Finding the no-brainer is like going to the grocery store and buying the groceries that will allow you to recreate that meal you saw online. No ingredients no meal.
When there are multiple ways of copying an art style the method with the fewest assumptions is more likely to be successful.
Base your approach on the method with the least number of assumptions.
Why is This Helpful?
When you're going down an inspiration rabbit hole. Remember that you have limited capacity in that beautiful brain of yours. Be like that patient teacher who took the time to explain things to you in detail and allowed you to digest the information you were taking in.
When you're going down an inspiration rabbit hole. Remember that you have limited capacity in that beautiful brain of yours. Be like that patient teacher who took the time to explain things to you in detail and allowed you to digest the information you were taking in.
How to Find No-brainers Using a Formal Analysis?
Exercise 1
Formal analysis
Formal analysis
Fig.1 -A digital Life drawing by Musonda Kabwe
1. What kind of lines do you see?
2. What kind of shapes do you see?
3. What can you say about the textures?
4. What colour is the piece?
5. What else is visible?
2. What kind of shapes do you see?
3. What can you say about the textures?
4. What colour is the piece?
5. What else is visible?
Things that informed this article
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpFnwAEB8aw&ab_channel=VickyZhao%5BBEEAMP%5D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM2MOyonDsY&t=42s&ab_channel=Smarthistory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v_tn4nyjwE&ab_channel=TalksatGoogle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v_tn4nyjwE&ab_channel=TalksatGoogle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpFnwAEB8aw&ab_channel=VickyZhao%5BBEEAMP%5D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM2MOyonDsY&t=42s&ab_channel=Smarthistory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v_tn4nyjwE&ab_channel=TalksatGoogle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v_tn4nyjwE&ab_channel=TalksatGoogle