Inspiration (?)

[ChaosCossack]

I've been following a couple of Richie's conversions in the vBench and a question was asked by Don "Where does the inspiration for his conversions come from?"... Great question.

The ideas for original sculpts, complex conversions (like Richie's), vignettes and dioramas are born in the mind of the artist. Of course. But I don't think many of these come as dream visions.... So... From where or what do these ideas come from?

Everybody has their process, I'm sure, but I and probably many others would be interested in what starts the process that becomes a beautiful figure or action packed diorama or thoughtful vignette.

For me, I read voraciously, in my area of interest... military history, particularly Napoleonic era. As I read a well written scene, a picture developes in my head. At some point a freeze frame of a certain moment grabs me and we start from there... sketches, web-image search, a trip to the library and the idea starts to flesh out. Hopefully I can start to finish some of the ideas I've developed over the years ... with help from PF

Anyway, I put the question out there and look forward to hearing how others go about taking inspiration for some of the great works we see here.

Inspire us

Colin

 

[Chris Kelm]

As a new member of the PF group I just want to say that all of you guys are my inspiration to paint figures!
chris

 

[kagemusha]

One of the main areas of inspiration for me, is the figure itself. A well sculpted/dynamic pose lend themselves to creating the initial idea. From there, I look for further reference in paintings etc.
I admit to using the works of fellow members to inspire me. That is why I enjoy this site. Always new ideas and techniques to try out.

Ron

 

[billyturnip]

My inspiration more often than not comes from flat catalogues or books I'm reading, usually an interest in one leads to the other.

Roger.

 

[Ron Tamburrini]

The Best I have seen for inspiration Is Smudger 1960 just walking down the the street with Brian is an enlightenment ,everything he walks by draws ideas from him

 

[ChaosCossack]

Ron
That doesn't help those of us who haven't layed eyes on that scene More of a location specific inspiration.

Colin

 

[Ron Tamburrini]

The point I'm making Colin is that inspiration is all around us but you could try this!!
Take a sheet of A4 paper ,cut a rectangle or square window in it ,look out some military prints ,place the window over it and move it around and you will have little individual scene's pop up everywhere, change the army and there you have something new

Go to museums ,art galleries, harbours ,old prints of where you live roundabout the 19th century plenty of pictures there .

Hope some of this helps

 

[ChaosCossack]

Understood, Ron...
I do like the idea with the paper window, sometimes there's so much in those battle paintings you can get lost in the overall scene.

Colin