Help me find videos of artist/illustrator processes?
October 4, 2014 8:59 PM Subscribe
As an illustrator, I usually draw on thick watercolor paper using ink pens (rotrings) and then paint over my drawing in watercolor. I want to illustrate and sell my artwork as posters, but how can I refine my process both artistically and commercially?
I'm trying to find videos that document the processes of great artists and illustrators (I'm interested in "analog" illustrators who work with their hands--minimum digital work) who sell their artwork as posters (preferably sci-fi artists like Roger Dean, Syd Mead, Moebius, and Chris Foss-- although all contemporary artists and illustrators are welcome). Some of the things I am interested in: What kind of materials do they use (paper, pens, watercolors)? Do they produce original artworks or is there a growing preference for the limited edition business model? Are their posters screeprinted? ...
To give you an idea about why I am rethinking my process: I recently saw Drew Struzan's "Conceiving and Creating The Hellboy Movie Poster" video which shows his process in great detail. I'd love to see the process of other talented artists as well. Struzan is an old-school master, so it would be really nice to see how artists and illustrators with a style similar to mine (technical ink pen + watercolor) perfected the artistic as well as the commercial aspects of the job.
I'm trying to find videos that document the processes of great artists and illustrators (I'm interested in "analog" illustrators who work with their hands--minimum digital work) who sell their artwork as posters (preferably sci-fi artists like Roger Dean, Syd Mead, Moebius, and Chris Foss-- although all contemporary artists and illustrators are welcome). Some of the things I am interested in: What kind of materials do they use (paper, pens, watercolors)? Do they produce original artworks or is there a growing preference for the limited edition business model? Are their posters screeprinted? ...
To give you an idea about why I am rethinking my process: I recently saw Drew Struzan's "Conceiving and Creating The Hellboy Movie Poster" video which shows his process in great detail. I'd love to see the process of other talented artists as well. Struzan is an old-school master, so it would be really nice to see how artists and illustrators with a style similar to mine (technical ink pen + watercolor) perfected the artistic as well as the commercial aspects of the job.
Syd Mead has a good video series through Gnomon. There are definitely other artists on there worth looking into.
posted by meta87 at 9:50 PM on October 4, 2014
posted by meta87 at 9:50 PM on October 4, 2014
Boulet has a number of great time lapse videos on YouTube.
posted by quince at 10:10 PM on October 4, 2014
posted by quince at 10:10 PM on October 4, 2014
I remember that the Struzman video showed the changing early roughs and color comps he made for the client (the Studio) – is that what you mean about the "commercial aspects" of the job? But if you're not creating art for a client, it would be helpful to know what commercial details you're wondering about.
If you're asking more about reproducing art to sell (to individuals), I don't think you need to make any adjustments or concessions to your creative methods in order to make the art technically suitable. Just about anything is reproducible by one method or another. In the case of watercolors, screen printing may not be the simplest (or cheapest) solution, as the printer would have to attempt to separate and then recombine all your colors on press. I'd suggest giclée printing instead, which is really just a fancy word for inkjet printing with archival quality inks and paper. From a reputable printer the quality is excellent, and if printed on watercolor printer can be almost indistinguishable from your original.
I don't know if limited edition posters are a growing business model, though I'd guess it is. It's just a way to allow more people to own the art, at different price points, and obviously for the artist to earn more from their work. The original poster could sell for $1,000; a limited-edition signed version for $100; and a open-edition unsigned poster for $10. Creating the reproductions does not really reduce the value of the original in a significant way IMHO.
posted by Kabanos at 12:22 PM on October 6, 2014
If you're asking more about reproducing art to sell (to individuals), I don't think you need to make any adjustments or concessions to your creative methods in order to make the art technically suitable. Just about anything is reproducible by one method or another. In the case of watercolors, screen printing may not be the simplest (or cheapest) solution, as the printer would have to attempt to separate and then recombine all your colors on press. I'd suggest giclée printing instead, which is really just a fancy word for inkjet printing with archival quality inks and paper. From a reputable printer the quality is excellent, and if printed on watercolor printer can be almost indistinguishable from your original.
I don't know if limited edition posters are a growing business model, though I'd guess it is. It's just a way to allow more people to own the art, at different price points, and obviously for the artist to earn more from their work. The original poster could sell for $1,000; a limited-edition signed version for $100; and a open-edition unsigned poster for $10. Creating the reproductions does not really reduce the value of the original in a significant way IMHO.
posted by Kabanos at 12:22 PM on October 6, 2014
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posted by Monsieur Caution at 9:27 PM on October 4, 2014