From Imitation to Innovation

How to Channel Your Inspiration in a More Original Way

One of the biggest struggles of beginning illustrators is in not copying the styles or ideas of the work that inspires them. We know what inspires us, what gives us creative energy, but we don’t quite know how to channel that energy into making original art. We don’t know how to leap from that deep feeling of inspiration to actually making something that might similarly inspire others.

The Spark

We all start off by being inspired by other artists’ work. Maybe we are fans of a graphic novel series, or we have always admired posters or other graphic design from a certain era. Then, one day, it dawns on us that we don’t just appreciate it in a passive way. There’s a moment in which we consciously declare, “I want to do that too!” In her book Find Your Artistic Voice, Lisa Congdon describes this moment as “the spark”, the genesis moment of when ends up being a lifelong love affair with making pictures, and ultimately, making art for a living.

If you are hoping to become an illustrator, or if you are an illustrator now, you have had this “spark” moment. I can’t imagine any other reason someone would want to get into illustration. The chances of making a decent living is probably far lower than taking a more traditional job…