Artists often think about his or her everyday artist’s tools, and how we will master them, from paints and brushes to Photoshop or other software. A very important tool that many artists, especially new ones, do not think about often enough is his or her internal visual library. An artist’s visual library is what he or she thinks everyday objects, people, animals, cultural items and fashion look like; but how close to reality is our visual library? This is where Pinterest can become an invaluable tool for any artist.
Pinerest is a site that allows one to bookmark images. Have a favorite artist? The admirer can create a board dedicated to that artist and populate it with all of his or her works. Creating boards (they are like folders) is the main feature of Pinterest that allows an artist to build a visual library of various topics.
When we think of a lady bug, then draw one, how close to a real lady bug does our imagined one match? This is where having a physical (or in this case, virtual) visual library helps one become a better artist. Looking at a photo of a real lady bug will reveal details that the artist may have never considered. This gives the artist the option to add or leave off certain details, which details should be exaggerated and which should be minimized.
Example of using Pinterest boards as visual library catagories.
Using Pinterest as a tool to store photos of visual reference, an artist can improve his or her internal visual library. For example, my Pinterest account (@ brianthuff) is composed of boards not only of artists and artwork I enjoy and find inspirational, but also of a wide range of visual reference, anything from Vehicles to Egyptian culture. The next time I want to create an imagined insect creature, I can scan through my insect reference and pick and choose the details I would like to include on my new creature. I also use my Pinterest visual library proactively. I do not always wait until I want to draw a specific thing. I take time out to look through a set of pictures, examining details, colors and understanding how things work, such as lighting, anatomy and structure. Taking time to study objects stores that visual information in my head and helps me be less reliant on reference the next time I want to invent new objects and creatures.
I hope this inspires you to go to Pinterest today and start building the foundation of your personal visual library.
Cheers,
Brian T. Huff
Brian T. Huff 