Unexpected Inspiration - 3 Tips to Improve Originality (Blue Bird PSD + 6h Video)

Hey guys,

I'm happy to share the PSD file and a 6-hour process video for my latest blue bird illustration/character design. I had a different concept in mind, but it didn't have any funny situations. So, I spent some time browsing Pinterest for reference images, and I found random pictures that weren't visually striking but had something going on, usually a fun or weird situation and eventually my brain started to combine those elements.

I love making pretty art, but I'm more passionate about original and creative concepts. That's why I'm a huge fan of series like Furi Kuri- FLCL (the first season). The story is about a kid facing the pressure of growing up, but the surrounding narrative is so bizarre and visually beautiful that created such an interesting fusion and significant impact on me back in 2001.

It's challenging to focus only on ideas and forget technique. The proper balance guarantees your blueprint. As an artist, you're not just writing/creating stories and concepts; you're visually building these ideas with tools, which is also very demanding. So, in case you find yourself lacking some originality while working in your visuals, here are three advices for unconventional ideas:

1. It's not just what you say but how you say it: When trying to be original, choose something personally interesting, no matter how trivial you think it is. Consider why it's interesting to you and find the most bizarre way to convey it. Be cautious not to miss the point while creating the artwork, search for interesting ways of saying what everyone knows. One approach to achieving this is by selecting a topic you want to explore and looking for something completely unrelated as a channel or method to convey it. For instance, if you want to create an illustration about a burger, determine which characteristics of the burger you'd like to keep. Is it the visually appetizing appearance? Identify what makes the burger look tasty from a visual standpoint. Once you've figured that out, try to change everything else while maintaining that defining aspect you've identified for the chosen topic.

2. Find similarities in unrelated topics: Another tip is to mix ideas. If your idea is interesting, try combining it with something that shares a few characteristics. For example, in this illustration, I initially wanted to change the animal of the month but wasn't sure which one to choose. The reporter idea came first, and then I thought it would be smart to pick an animal that communicates with lots of noise. Birds seemed perfect. Ideas often emerge in a weird way, not always as planned. Start with something you find interesting, like humor, and gradually expand the idea by combining it with other topics that add value.

3. Challenge Conventions: When brainstorming ideas, try to identify common tropes or cliches in your chosen theme or subject matter. Once you've identified them, think of ways to subvert or twist these conventions to create something fresh and unexpected. This approach can lead to original ideas that stand out in a sea of similar content.

Throughout the video, you'll see how I focused on two shapes: a very thin, elegant shape for the reporter (bird-inspired) and a round shape for the old man and cat. The bird-inspired costume mostly focused on colors and values, with no exaggerated shape features aside from the blazer. These illustrations often consider around 5 to 10 different details. This time, I prioritized the overall feeling of cuteness and the cat's bad mood. It feels like there's a lot going on behind the situation, and the best way I thought to achieve this was by including small frames in which the news anchor is surprised by the cat's weight. The details in the merchandise made by the old man show it's not just a celebration but also a smoothly running business.

I apologize because, for some reason, my OBS has been failing lately, so it stops recording at some moments. But don't worry, most of the process is recorded.

In this PSD, you'll find that I pushed the watercolor texture and brighter values more towards the end of the process. The turtle illustration had darker values, and I thought it would be nice to create a different mood this time. As always, I'm trying to explore as much as I can.

In this post, you'll also find the PSD file of last week's Texture Demo (Fur, Rock,and Gold). In the file, you'll see the treatment behind each texture and how I used different filters for each occasion. The secret is in the shadow and highlight shapes! Stay tuned for more tips about Color, Values, and Textures in the upcoming weeks.

Enjoy exploring both files and searching for any specific parts you're curious about in the full-length process of the Bird Illustration. If you have any questions or need feedback, you can always reach out on Discord. Just verify your Discord account on Patreon, and the bot will grant you access. If you run into any issues, feel free to DM me here on Patreon.

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