ITAP LECTURE WEEK 2

Visual Practise (Research)

Research is when you explore, investigate, study etc. There are two different types of research - primary and secondary. Primary research is when you start with nothing and start from scratch with no information to already help you. Where as secondary research is when you already have certain points and information to give you an idea of what to do. There are advantages and disadvantages for both.

Illustrators research mainly by drawing, collecting things, reading and observing to get inspiration. They can get inspiration literally from anything like previous artists work or even something they may see on the street or while doing normal every-day things. All illustrators keep a sketchbook which is their main source of research where they draw all their ideas. Some may describe it as their mind and imagination displayed in a book. Research is very important as it gives you a deeper understanding of the subject and it makes us observe more. It also makes us look at things in different ways and by researching may give us a different opinion on something we may thought of in a different way previously.

Notion of Inspiration

Artists can be inspired by absolutely anything, for example someone may see the first cloud which has naturally formed in the shape of a heart, then decide to create an image like the second cloud. Illustrators find inspiration by collecting things, observing and drawing. One quote from an illustrator is, 'I get inspiration from anything and everything' which shows you need an open mind and you need to take risks. Another quote is, 'Collecting things stimulates the brain. It helps you think of something fresher', this also refers back to the importance of research as collecting thing is part of that process and this is what gives you the inspiration to create new things. Therefore inspiration comes from lots of research, observation, recording and experimentation.