A Little Corner
For Creative Inspiration...
On this page I'm sharing my own personal "Essentials" - things I enjoy, find practical, or are treasured keepsakes. Starting with a few but I may add others in the future - Check my Notebook from time to time!
**Note: I am not paid to endorse/promote anything or anyone, this is just stuff I like!
Art Books
Rendering in Pen and Ink
by Arthur Guptill
My favorite, very thorough book on Pen and Ink. Beautiful, practical, and motivating illustrations.
Though I mostly use the pen for simple ideations these days, this one is a keeper that I return to sometimes just to admire.
I've held onto this book for over 25 years since I bought it - Christensen has always been a source of inspiration, with his genuine wisdom, quirky characters, incredible design sense and all his books on imagination. There is also a series of visual journals he created - little treasures, if you can get hold of them!
The Art of James Christensen
- A Journey of the Imagination
Symmetry - The Ordering Principle
by David Wade
This is book 41 in the "Wooden Books" series - definitely worth a look (at the entire series!). They aren't actually made of wood though, just nicely portable little books packed full of interesting information, and starting points for ideas.
Once Upon a Time - A Treasury of Classic Fairy Tale Illustrations
Selected & edited by Jeff Menges
A Solid selection of Golden Age Illustrations - I don't have the 101 Great Illustrations (same author), it might be more comprehensive, but I chose this for its brevity and visuals.
Keys to Drawing with Imagination
by Bert Dodson
Another fun, visually interesting one - kind of workbook style. Jump starts creative-mode without being overly academic. One of my favorites when I first began to draw.
Music
"Where words fail, music speaks."
- Hans Christian Andersen
I listen to it as I work, and on
occasion I enjoy creating musical
arrangements or doing virtual performances. I believe just like anything we consume, what we listen to affects us - for better or worse; so I prefer music that heals and uplifts, or takes us on a journey.
The Merry Company Youtube Channel is dedicated to Music playlists I've started to compile - stuff I enjoy listening to and will be adding to. You might like something there - maybe you'll discover a song or band you've not heard before!
Channels & Podcasts
Marshall Vandruff
An extraordinary educator whose influence runs through everything I create
Pete Beard
Excellent coverage of our History of Illustrators
Signum University
For Tolkien fans and Lovers of Literature
Digital Tools & Websites
Things I've used and found useful
over the years - I don't always use the
same things but some are great tools!
Pinterest - #1 Visual "Treasure Hunt" tool
Painting Software:
Photoshop, Artrage, Rebelle
AI & Fractal Tools:
I've tried a lot of the tools and more are always in development, look for the ones that allow you to train and develop your own styles. I like Open source tools as well, but always use caution with plugins.
The technology is growing so fast! A Google search will yield more up to date results, but this site is a good starting point:
https://aiartists.org/ ​
Bookmarks
(Free) Printable Floral Bookmarks
Click here to Preview and Download
