RESEARCHING THEMES Theres no doubt that one ofthe most daunting aspects of creativity forthe ats being faced witha blank page. The prospect of plucking new ideas ou of thin air and uriving at an orginal atstie soliton ean be nnerving. This whys important to develop a knowledge base rom which creative ideas ca go Alert Hinstin said hat “imagination is more important than knowledge However before most artists can begin ta produce artwork rom thelr imagination ‘they nee co establish the knowledge base from which they will work. The smplst ‘starting point fortis sto sleet them to investigate 1 develop. This ean be anything that interests you, fom an antique fapanese sik fan co afi rt on ai Statin walls—the range of inspirational resources in the work is endless With rich co stimulate your imagination, is easy to ecome indecisive, The key is to be selective, only choosing temes that uly inspire you. Your chosen theme must continue to hold you attention while you explores creative elements, ‘good starting pln in dhe investigative process so form ait of words that are associated with the theme. This is known as "mind-mapping” of “ra-storming A buttery thome ts explored facing page) by listing the words tha spring mind wile concenuratng on the image odes, butter The words create a narher bof research avenues to filo the ial subject ofa utterly having weth ofassclattons, with almost every word capable of inspiring anew investigation “The images below shove how theme can asa be investigated artistically, Notice how che butters have boen used t create repeat pacers. The textute ofthat wings and the symmetrical pattems across them have been represented throug painting and drawing. Colour studies have heen made of many beter varetes, The popularity ofthe butterfly as decoration in fashion hasalso been emphasied Thisexploatian showshow a butiesty theme canbe used to inspire fashion signe as wo asthe fashion ihastraors who ilstrate their garmentsup he bachroind kG NSPRATION ven you have Found a dheme tha interests you, explore it farther to discover your n personal arte response, Kor esa, lok sey the paleans textes, and colours in an image that you find appeating, then experiment by variety of mein and techniques heme. The starting ‘pradueing and interpreting hem using: The the images abowe show how simple sto work us ine sa close-up photograph of freshly caught mackerel jon hecanse ofthe many-elements toes for exe lected asa source ye clevelopment. Fr sample. the shapes erated bythe fish eyes were the designer’ inspiration faethe tiers on the shoe, while the reflective colours and Lexutes depleted in the stay holpedthefllustrator decide on the shoe's tonal eanrasts,