My Influence Map

Original template by `fox-orian found here: [link]

So from the top going left to right:
Animals & Nature: Pretty self-explanatory. Obviously photography is therefore a major influence. Photo (c) *Sooper-Deviant

Thorgal: Story by Van Hamme, artwork by Rosinski (Belgian & Polish). I'm from Belgium, and along with MANY other comic books/bandes dessinees/stripboeken these are a strong link to my childhood and family there. The artwork in this one is incredibly life-like for a comic book. Lanfeust (bottom right-hand corner) is another, more recent comic book influence of mine. The story is by Arleston, artwork by Tarquin (French).

Der-shing Helmer aka `alexds1: Her comic The Meek is very inspiring in the more 'cartoony' comic style, using digital methods. Quite recent influence (~1 year).

*khaosdog: Caught my eye a few years ago on dA, both traditional and digital work (and I have a feeling that what I thought was traditional is more often digital from the older pieces).

Jenny Dolfen aka *Gold-Seven: Her Harry Potter artwork caught my eyes many years ago back in high school, but it's her talent with watercolours (and Photoshop) that have kept me watching and learning from her.

Jennifer Miller aka ~Nambroth: Mostly traditional I believe, lots of nature & animals, beautiful colours and amazing work with acrylics on feathers!

Stephanie Pui-Mun Law aka *puimun: She has been one of my favourite artists from when I first started dA, but has recently become much more influential on my work. I'm starting to try watercolours and have bought 2 of her books and her tarot card set.

Dinotopia by James Gurney The artwork in these books have stuck by me through since my childhood and this year I bought his first book to spend hours gazing adoringly at his amazing illustrations again.

Missy Acker aka ~Demagis: Incredible watercolour work and fantastic tutorials gave me a good inspiration at the beginning of my dA years.

The Legend of Zelda games: I loved the world of all of these games, exploring it was as much fun as doing the dungeons and fighting bosses. Even the concept art in their little booklets was a joy to look through.

Lanfeust & the world of Troy: see Thorgal above.

Chris Sanders aka `alohalilo: I didn't realise for a long time, but his style in Lilo & Stitch was most definitely an inspiration in drawing and colouring. Lately his work in How to Train Your Dragon has made me find him here and allowed me to see more of his work. I just love the cute animals he can do! Also very helpful tutorial.

John Howe & also Robin Hobb's books: Actually all of fantasy & scifi books are of course a source of inspiration and therefore an influence on my works but you guys knew that right? John Howe's dragons are my exact picture of what dragons embody, and brought to life one of my favourite series of books.

Pokemon & Ken Sugimori: I guess they're my source of inspiration when I want to draw something quick and with easy reference, and it helps me improve in training my eye and hand to work together to match what is wanted to be created and what is seen.

Other noteworthies: Cliff Wright (illustrator of the some Harry Potter books, at least the Australian covers) and children's illustrator. I have one of his books and it is just incredible in making you SEE how you need to observe the world around you and to shape the way you put it on paper.

School & friends on the bus: I had a good friend Megan who I used to catch the bus with, and it was due to her influence that I started sketching (and discovered Elfwood which eventually led me to dA). Sometimes at school when I had to wait or I was bored the odd doodle on lined paper too..

Grandparents Both sets of grandparents are artistic and I remember watching them paint the river, or the garden. I also used to ask my granddad to draw a plane from a book and then my brother and I would colour it in.

I can't think of many more, although of course everyone I watch here is an influence on me. Contests also influence my ideas & challenge me to try my best or try something new.

THANKS FOR LOOKING!