I do not always go to my sketch pad inspired. Sometimes I avoid my sketch pad because I am not even remotely inspired. I recently went to an SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) event where I listened to the awesome Lisa Brown talk about how she finds inspiration. Please check out more of Lisa Brown's work on her blog American Chickens, it is full of inspiration!
Here are just a few of the places where Lisa finds inspiration for her picture book making.
- Library of Congress (it's free!)
- Vintage book stores
- Postcards
- Murals in her community (Mission District in SF)
Lisa has a wall of inspiration in her home studio. I also have a cork board full of inspiration in front of my desk. One key thing that resonated with me when Lisa was speaking was that everything she was inspired by she's seen with her own eyes. She illustrates using inspiration but always filters it through her own voice. Hope you find some new places to dig up some inspiration!