Subject: Harry Potter Roundtable Discussion II: Fan-artist’s Forum

[aah_mod]

Everyone is encouraged to participate in the Roundtable Discussion. Please refer here for the Roundtable Discussion guidelines.

Topic: A Place for Fan-Artists to Discuss the Experience of Being an Artist in Fandom - proposed by raitalaHere are some potential discussion points, but really this is just a friendly space for fanartists to get together and

Comments

[rickey_a]

I'm not an artist, so I don't have much to add, but waves "hello" at Rai!
and will say ---> Collaborations with writers: Hell Yes
Sweeping generalization: most writers would be total whores to have illustrations for their fics, and it definitely adds a whole new dimension to the project. So if you're an artist wondering about it... go send a message to initiate first contact!

[aah_mod]

You cheat! I was so excited to get my first artist turn up and it was you! Still, you can help me eat all the nibbles while we wait in this empty hall.

Rai

[empress_jae]

LOL!!

[rickey_a]

LOL
I figured some folks might be nervous to put up a first comment... or maybe all the artists are either at azkatraz or busy with their art;P

[autumn_veela]

Hi everyone! *waves*

I'm primarily a writer who recently posted my first fanart, and would love do more in the future. I have a couple of question for the experienced artists out there:

1. What is the correct etiquette when using a photo reference for art? Do you need to mention it in Artist's notes? Do you need to link to the reference? And although I know that there have been many prior discussions on the "validity" of artists using references, I'd be interested to know what people here think. Do you feel art is devalued if you know that photo references have been used?

2. I'd be thrilled if anyone could give me hints on drawing backgrounds. Are there any specific methods or techniques that you find work well? How do you ensure the perspective and proportions are correct?

I'd be so grateful for any help, and am so excited for this discussion. : )

[damned_queen]

On your first question: I've felt that quite a lot of commenters don't like it when they notice you've used a photo for reference, esp. not if they actually recognize the photo in question.

I once did art using a Boyd pic and got some unsupportive comments on that. But, really, mostly people don't recognize the pics at all because they simply don't know them and then they don't really care if you've mentioned you've used reference in the header

Anyway, I still think it's a bit strange people on LJ/in fandom are bothered by the use of ref pics, but hey that's just me. I guess that's one of the reasons why I am by no means a well-kwown artist :-)

[raitala]

[autumn_veela]

Thanks for replying! To be honest, I think the only people I've ever seen complain about photo referencing weren't artists themselves. : )
It's good to know that other people use them, though!

[cassie_black12]

Ooh, I have an art question, kind of!

I'm not particularly brilliant at drawing, but I enjoy do trying. At the minute, I'm a paper and pen/pencil girl, and I have to scan to get my work on the computer.

So what I want to know is if anyone can recommend a decent software programme for using to draw directly onto my computer - I really want one of those tablet thingies! I'd like the best, but realistically it would need to be reasonably priced.

I'd love to discuss concepts and techniques with you, but that's a bit out of my league at the moment. Maybe next year...

[alienor77310]

I believe Photoshop Elements, or whatever it's called now, is not particularly expensive. And then, there's Gimp, which is open source and free and has pretty much all the features you need until you reach and advanced level.

[raitala]

[freckles42]

I do not condone or support illegally downloading hacked versions of Photoshop. *cough*

However, that being said, I find Photoshop (I use CS3) to be the best. There are lots of tutorials out there to teach you how to draw in it. I know people who use their mouse, but I highly recommend a tablet. And get a GOOD tablet - any Wacom will do. They are well worth the price, trust me. It's best to save up for quality tools than use shoddy, inferior ones.

If you're a student, see if your school has a student price for photoshop or a deal with Wacom. I got PS7 for $25 when I was in college many moons ago. It's much better to have a legit version. 0:)

[duck_or_rabbit]

Collaborations with writers

I'm often moved to write fic to illustrations -- in fact, I think there ought to be a fest or two in current fandom (I know there've been in the past) when the artist draws and then the writer creates a story around the drawing -- but that said, do artists dislike writers meddling in their art? I realize that's a v. general question.

[alienor77310]

Hermione Big Bang does that, both ways. In the first phase, both authors and writers sent in their own "original" works, and we're now in phase two, where authors have to write to illustrate the artses sent in, and artists draw from the fics.

[duck_or_rabbit]

Oh, thanks!

[hrymfaxe]

do artists dislike writers meddling in their art?

I can of course only speak for myself, but I think that would be great! It would tell me that my art told a story beyond just being a few lines on paper, and that is the primary goal of any art I do. I want it to say something, and make you wonder what went before and what came after, give you clues to the characters personalities etc etc.

It may be that the writer writes something that wasn't in my mind when I was painting, but that is the truly interesting part about sharing any creative work: seeing how others interpret it. :D

[alienor77310]

- How fests work for us fanartists.

I think it varies very much depending on the format of the fest - same as for writers. I like the "teamwork" aspect of the Snarry Games. Collaboration and "beta viewing" is rare, at least for me.

- Collaborations with writers

I'm discovering that one with the Hermione Big Bang. It can be fun, I think, if the writer is an engaging person.

- Different techniques

I love digital... probably too much. I dabble with acrylics and pencil, but not as much as before I got myself a tablet.

I think you could say my "signature" technique is to photoshop old masterpieces into fanart. I browse pictures and tell myself: "Oh, this one would be fun as X". That usually ends up being a bit embarassing as, even after numerous warnings that some famous painter did all the hard work 250 or 500 years ago, plus links to the original works, some people still exclaim at drapes and robes and such.

I've also done a couple of things with vectorial software, but I'm just beginning to find my way technically.
-

[hrymfaxe]

I like to do illustrations because someone has already done the thinking for me.

I couldn't agree more. I always have a hard time coming up with something original - it is just so much easier to draw from an existing universe.

Capturing characters and narrative is my main goal when drawing. To avoid the stilted look in moving poses, I often exaggerate the pose, and before I start drawing the actual figure I'll also most times draw a simple line that shows the general movement; for example the direction of the spine and the leg that bears the weight. And then "build" the figure around that. This helps me to keep sight of the movement I'm going for and not lose it while establishing the body.

[raitala]

[raitala]