Friday, June 14, 2013

HOW TO DRAW LIKE HOWARD PYLE, SOME THOUGHTS ON THE CREATIVE PROCESS























This illustration, "The Coming of Lancaster" by Howard Pyle, was a very important part of my education as an illustrator.  It taught me one of the most valuable lessons I would learn, a lesson that was key to almost everything I learned afterword.

I started my illustration education after two years in the Engineering program at Brigham Young University. I had never had any formal art education but I knew that I wanted to make pictures.

In my second year I was taking a History of Illustration class taught by Robert Barrett. I loved this class. I was inspired by all the great work but I was also a little discouraged. I began to doubt my abilities and wonder if I would ever learn how to make pictures like the ones I was seeing.

The day I saw "The Coming of Lancaster" projected on the screen I remember being especially discouraged. I saw it and thought, How can I ever learn to make a picture like that?" It just didn't seem possible to me. Thankfully, before the despair set in, Bob showed us the next slide.























This one of Howard Pyle's early rough sketches for "The Coming of Lancaster". I saw this and thought, "THAT I CAN DO!" What an epiphany, I finally understood that great works don't begin as great works. They begin as rough ideas. I realized that creation is a process. I thought if I can understand the first step I can learn the next step. I was fully aware that I had much to learn, but I was confident that I could learn it.

Here's a rough sketch of my own. This is the sketch that later became the cover for "the Bad Beginning"























Today, I'm still learning and I still can't draw like Howard Pyle. Even after illustrating many books, whenever I start a new picture, I still get anxious and doubt my abilities. When this happens I just remember to start scribbling.

18 comments:

  1. Thank you for posting this. Sometimes the thought of making a drawing can be intimidating. It's good to be reminded that it's one step and then the next step and then the next step.

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    1. Thanks, I have to remind myself constantly. The anxiety of starting something new never goes away.

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  2. Even to a successful professional illustrator you still have fear & self doubt? I was hoping that would go away... haha

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    1. I think I'd be worried if it ever did go away. Thanks

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  3. Thank you for this post :) It gave me some courage

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  4. Great post. This reminds me of something an instructor once told me. When we look at great art (especially when studying composition), it appears as if it was all inevitable, because it turned out the way it did. We often forget the trials and errors that went into making an image. Obviously guys like Pyle are on a quicker path to a finished image, as they have so many other skills wired, but it's still nice to see how simple the start can be.

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  5. what a good advice! i get more energy to keep working on my illustrations!

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  6. This is really encouraging. I get anxious before I illustrate and sometimes doubt my abilities. Glad to hear I'm not alone :)

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  7. Hello! I am a student in high school and a big fan of your work.
    At my school advanced students get to paint the ceiling tiles with an image from an artist that has influenced/inspired our work. I chose your illustration, the cover for the Vengekeep Prophecies, for my piece! I just loved it when I saw the cover at my library and immediately recognized your style. So I thought I'd show you the finished product, just for fun (It's the link below) (I also had to write a three-page essay on your life and why you inspire me, but you don't need to see that!)
    This post is just another reason for me to admire you. You're relatable- you share the same feelings and go through the same trials as every other artist, even an aspiring one such as myself. I'm glad I picked you for my inspiration.
    Enjoy!
    https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/945120_467721633320487_418920667_n.jpg

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    1. Thanks, I looked at your tile, I'm honored, you did a great job.

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  8. Thanks so much for sharing this with us! It was really inspirational, now I have the motivation to keep going even when I have doubts...
    It's fascinating to think of the journey from your first sketch for The Bad Beginning to the final product.

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  9. Thank you so much for sharing your epiphany! I love those moments. It is very encouraging to hear about yours. I graduate from BYU illustration and I teach some young students and was wondering if you could answer a few questions to help encourage them. Brother Barrett has just finished an interview for us and we are so excited. I love seeing all your amazing work, its such a treat. www.kimberlyhannahmeade.blogspot.com

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