SEEKING INSPIRATION | Note #9

June is a month filled with many Middle Ages inspired events here in Italy. Perhaps it’s because there are so many small towns that still preserve ancient walls, castles and towers. There are people who dress up in velvet cloaks, long skirts and flower headbands. And people who prepare food using simple earth ingredients. Others turn themselves into archers. And others are colorful flag-wavers. All in all, they recreate an atmosphere of other times. I definitely recommend coming to Italy during this month!

You may wonder what this has to do with “seeking inspiration.” Well, I think this is a good example of how unique our life experiences are. It depends on where we live, what we are interested in, and how we perceive our surroundings.

I went to a couple of these events, and the flag bearers were the ones that caught my attention and made me open my sketchbook. I really liked those colorful flags! And the way they were floating in the air. I wanted to capture that aspect.

Here’s the first attempt, based on some pics I took during the event. It was my first approach to poses and colors. But I wanted to push further and get away from the references.

* I mainly used Tombow water-based brush pens which have such vibrant shades. For those who plan buying them through kinshop.it I have a special discount for you: madalina20

Then I went for a more stylized look. It seems a character from a children's book. Unfortunately, that wasn’t what I had in mind. It lacked the movement and commitment of those flag-wavers!

Here’s the final drawing. The first pose is still realted to the reference pic, while the second one is from imagination. I’m mostly satisfied with the flags. I had fun doodling and coloring imperfect shapes and lines. I think this adds a lot of movement and vibrancy to the piece.

What I’ve picked up from this month is to look for inspiration in my surroundings and in my personal life experience. I don't need to check the Internet or other people's art so often. Just pay more attention to my everyday life and enhance the moments that are unique to me.

I think this is a great lesson, especially for those of you who struggle to come up with ideas and get caught up in copying others.

Next month I want to draw from old photos I found in my family home :) See you then!

-Madalina