Tuesday, July 22, 2008

haven't I see that somewhere before before



















Often when I draw something, (and I am not a drawer, but quite enjoy doing it), I find myself thinking ' haven't I seen that somewhere before'. I look at so much inspiring stuff that I get paranoid that what ends up on the paper in front of me is just a copy. Does anyone else have this problem? You guys can always tell me if something I have made is way too derivative of someone else's work.

Someone who can actually draw here or h
ere.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes!! I worry about this too!! I would hate anyone to think that I have copied anything, and this is a major concern for me too! Maybe I'm just paranoid!
Oh and i like the new header!!

Nikki said...

It's also possible to come up with the same design solutions as someone else WITHOUT having seen their work. If we're influenced by the same fashions, technology and trends, then our designs and artworks are affected by that, and sometimes end up looking similar. Cest le vie.

As long as you're not intentionally ripping anyone off, then there's no issue. Just draw and enjoy it!!:)

Unknown said...

Yeah brains are like sponges, and sometimes when we want to squeeze our own creations out, others come out too. But it's such a small world it is inevitable.
By the way, I tagged you on my brilliant blog list. Check out my blog for more details.

Jacinta said...

This can be a bit awkward. When is it inspiration, when does it turn to copying? I tend to agree with Nikki though, if you are not intentionally ripping someone off, you can relax a little.
If someone is influencing your work, maybe you can mention where the inspiration came from... if you can remember!
There are so many amazing people out there, it's hard sometimes to remember what is memory and what is new!
Have fun and continue to be creative.

flossy-p said...

I know exactly what you mean about looking at so much art on the web and wondering how much of it soaks into our subconscious. I used to really worry about this, (I think I may have even had bad dreams about creating an artwork and realising it was just like someone else's). But like the others said, as long as you're not intentionally ripping someone off, I think it's fine. We all have slightly different techniques anyway.

Your new header is lovely. I really like the smudgyness. Looks like you had great fun making the prints!

hokey said...

This worries me a bit too. I have recently seen some similarities between something I have been making for a long time, and a new range by a much better known designer. I'm sure she doesn't even know I exist, so she definately hasn't copied me, but maybe I could be accused of copying her? Scares me a little.

Anyway, what you do looks like nothing else I have seen out there, and it't great!

The creative process should be a beautiful thing, why are we all so full of self-doubt?

Keep up the lovely work xx

Naomi said...

Don't doubt yourself! You know when you're copying and when you're not.

I used to twist myself in knots trying to come up with ideas that no one else was using. You can guess how much success I had with that - exactly none.