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I think it's important to talk about HOW to learn from your favorite artists instead of just copying. How to develop your own style based off of what you like vs copying.
1) try to figure out WHY you like this persons work so much. Really study it past the shiny details. Is it their way of rendering? How do they "build" their compositions? How do they make your eyes move around the picture? If you squint, what is the first thing you see?
What do you ACTUALLY like, and put words to it. I've learned that "A-ha!" moment comes most often when you talk about art. A common assignment I had in art history classes was learning how to describe art as if you needed someone with sight impairment to recreate it.
2) Try to figure out WHO your faves are learning from too. No such thing as a purely original idea, just different interpretations.
Sometimes the answers are more obvious, other times more obscure. But it comes down to a simple thing-- learning how to broaden your taste.
Sometimes the answers are more obvious, other times more obscure. But it comes down to a simple thing-- learning how to broaden your taste.
When you don't broaden your interests you don't just copy other artists cool design choices, but their mistakes too. You won't have to tools to know how to invent something new.
3) So where do you look for something new? Look at art history, look at art you're convinced you hate, and try to figure out why other people like it. Look at artistic styles and traditions of other cultures. Go down a few wikipedia rabbit holes. Visit a museum or seven.
How are other disciplines working visually? What do photographers do to pull off the same concepts? What are filmmakers up to? What do writers focus on when they have to describe something? How would you do it instead? Find a new challenge.
In conclusion: give yourself opportunities to check out new stuff, train your brain to look for cool things. Keep notes. Fuck around. Ask questions. Keep learning.
