Exercises in Unknown Styles: Clarke, Bilal, Gauguin

After Harry Clarke ATC
2.5″ x 3.5″ Micron Pens

I was recently involved in an art card swap with the theme “favorite artists”. The other members of the group pick their favorite, and the others make a card in that style. (I chose Daniela Volpari, who is a contemporary artist I happened to find on Etsy. I haven’t gotten my cards back from the other folks or I’d show ya how they turned out!)

The card above is based on a part of this Harry Clarke illustration. I took some liberties with some of the patterns but for the most part I copied the original. Usually I am no fan of copying! In fact, when I was in high school I refused to copy another artist, famous or otherwise, for any assignment. But I can definitely see the value in this type of exercise where you are forced to go outside your comfort zone.

Style of Enki Bilal ATC
2.5″ x 3.5″ Copics, Microns, Signo Uniball gel pen

The next card was based on this Enki Bilal illustration. Tragically, mine looks quite a bit more like markers than I’d like – despite it’s actually being markers. Didn’t quite get there, but I did get closer than expected. ;)

Style of Paul Gauguin
2.5″ x 3.5″, Copics, Microns

I must say I was most pleased with this one, though I would not call Paul Gauguin one of my favorite artists. Again it was my intention to copy his painting, but it does not really look like the original, shown here. But I really appreciate how painterly it is, and how different than my normal style. In fact, I had to convince someone close that I’d actually made it!

Steampunk Geisha
2.5″ x 3.5″ Copics, Microns, gel pen

And finally, here is a crazy mash-up maiden, a steampunk geisha. She is Maiden Number 94, and was made for a trade.

Thanks for stopping in! I didn’t do progress scans for all of these, but I did for a couple!

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15 thoughts on “Exercises in Unknown Styles: Clarke, Bilal, Gauguin”

  1. Beth Parker

    Hi Cindy! **waving**

    How fun is this! I was in a Masters swap once and we were to copy a painting or portion of a painting from the masters. I learned so much during that swap. I discovered artists that I now love very much! I also learned that what looks simple to do, really never is. I’m so glad I was in that swap. Your art here is wonderful!!!! (as usual)

  2. Mom

    My favorite of this group is the “steampunk maiden”do love oriental faces and she is a treasure!! And #94 -you surely have been busy with all the ladies!!! What happens after you have reached the # 100? I really recognized Gauguan (not spelled right) & I wasn’t very good @ Art. Guess you knew that. Love,Mom

  4. Leslie White

    I think we can learn a great deal from using another’s painting for reference. We have the option of attempting to copy their style or put our own spin on it. When we copy, we find out that there are intricate differences in our styles. When we explore our own options, we learn a little of what the other artist was saying and invariably add our own voice to that. Love the starkness of the black and white image!

  5. minnemie

    These are all awesome, Cindy! You are a true artist, being able to “flip” so easily (and beautifully) to other styles. I really thought the second and third were watercolors at first… painterly indeed!

  6. clara nilles

    I agree….its tough to go outside our comfort zone,…..especially in art. These are amazing….styles so different that I would have never guessed it was yours.

    These swap exercises are certainly great for experimenting….wish I had the time to do them…..

  8. ruthsartwork

    I think I like the Gauguin” best. It is a wonderful interpretation of his painting. I like the illustrative quality of the Harry Clarke, too.

  12. Nancy Vo

    These are so different from what you usually do, and I like how they turned out. I could say this about almost any of your pieces, but I really love how you include the progress scans.

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