This summer, I had artist and writer Ali Fitzgerald speak to my summer course about her creative process, her path and how she develops comics for clients like The New Yorker. I asked if she had any tips for my drawing students about how to generate creative ideas that can later become adapted into visual stories. She mentioned her go-to is to match something highbrow with something lowbrow. Luckily we are living in a time where nothing is off limits!
Much like Ali, writing lists is a go-to for merging together random thoughts to spark an idea. This is Barbie’s world and we are all just living in it! What are some random things from my childhood that could get the reboot? Notice above of the clash between the type of prestige entertainment and some forgotten toys from the ‘90s is the backbone of the illustrated series at the tippity top.
What’s the ultimate merge of high and low? Paris, chérie! When I was illustrating my friend Amanda Bankert’s forthcoming book Voila Vegan (preorder asap!), my goal was to merge the codes of museum-like city and the grunge of urban living. Voila pigeon, one of the many illustrations that evolved from this stupidly simple idea…
Today’s prompt: create a double-sided bullet list of some high and lowbrow things or concepts. Draw a line to connect those that make you laugh or where you can see some potential to develop something further. Sketch out for favorites. This list can get stocked away and revisited whenever you need an idea reboot.
Feel inspired and don’t drink the watercolor water, dear reader. -jkw