We all know the famous saying how the practice makes perfect, or in other words - there‘s a chance you‘ll get so much better at something if you keep doing it every day in order to improve.
An illustrator Lorna Kelleher wanted to check if this saying is actually true. Recently, she decided to measure her progress by recreating some of her older artworks. For this she chose illustrations of Disney princesses that she drew two years ago and remade them in a way she draws today. When you put them side to side, there‘s clearly a difference – which ones do you like better?
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Pocahontas
Love the growth on this one. From cartoon to reality. Well done!
Mulan
Ariel
she changed her style a lot, but I don't think that one is better than the other
These later drawings may not be done using the same medium. For some of her work, she is using Speedpaint software with an Wacom Intuos drawing pad for input. I've looked into those for myself and the lower end drawing pads do not have the sensitivity of the more expensive ones. She may not be able to get the precision and variance that she normally would with freehand airbrushed acrylic. Personally, I prefer her other work altogether, but then when it comes to art, I lean toward naturalism.
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For many of these, I like the 2018 version better. For this one, I prefer the 2016, and I'm seeing a lot of the same sentiment in the comments. I think it comes down to the fact that 2016 Ariel's expression is so alive and the colours are brighter. In fact, both seem to be true of most of these, but this one exemplifies the differences - and depending on which character we're looking at, the effect of "more alive" changes. I can see a lot of places where the artist has improved, but I wonder if she spent a little less time on these the second time around? Or is it partially an effort to make them "realer" and less like their cartoon models?
I think you did amazing on BOTH OF THEM you have obviously made alot of progress as an artist
Artist Lorna Kelleher was inspired by Disney in her earlier work. Most of her later works are her own conceptions. They seem to have the same facial characteristics, meaning she may be using a model. Where she excels is not even shown here. To see her most impressive work, you absolutely need to visit her Instagram page by clicking on her name above. Her Thor is a doozy. She also has videos out there too. Interesting!
I hate this one...well not hate but I just dont like how the newer one has no character or personality behind it and instead looks like all the other newer drawings just with different hair and eyes and called ariel where as the old one looks more alive, more free and even has ariels cheeky fun smile
I can't understand why a lot of commenters did prefer the version... It is not bad for a non-pro, but it shows so many errors in proportions! The 2018 version may be less bright, less in the Disney character design spirit, but it is so right, so perfect in features! And more original and personal, too...
Rapunzel
Belle
Snow White
Aurora
the later ones may be better drawings, but the earlier ones are true animations
Jasmine
Cinderella
All I can say is that her style changed. But is is now better than it was in 2016? It's debatable. To me the 2016 style is prettier...
I agree. All I see is a style change, not really an improvement in skills (the skills were already excellent in 2016). The earlier ones are very similar to the Disney originals, whereas the newer ones are different versions of these characters in the artist's particular style.
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I'd say it's more a difference in style than a straight-up improvement. I would also query whether she's using the same materials and equipment now as then. TL;DR: I like them both, I think she was good then and is still good ^_^
I agree! She is just as good both ways, but I just think she changed her style...
Load More Replies... In most cases, I actually like the left one more. Pocahontas being an exception
In the drawings from 2018, I can't tell who the characters are, unlike the drawings from 2016 where it is very clear. The drawings from 2018 may have a more personal style and may be better technically, but that I know nothing of.
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I don't find this an improvement - they don't look like the Disney characters anymore, it's just a change of style which, to me, lost the Disney "feel". LEft ones are way prettier to me too. Had I not seen the left one, I'd be speculating which Disney (if at all) toon I looked at in 2018.
Because they ALL have to look like true Disney, because apparently people think it's a crime for people to actually EMBRACE their amazing and unique art styles.
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That is an excellent way of putting it! The newer ones have a drag queen-ish feel.
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I'd like to see some of the artists work using original characters. There seems to be a lot of postings of various people's interpretations of Disney females. And that's just counting posts on Bored Panda. (A quick search found me at least 50). I don't understand the obsession.
Yes, exactly. I like all the comments about “it’s her own style” etc... then draw your own characters, full stop.
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Both versions are great. As mentioned earlier - it's different style, not better drawing. And I prefer 2016 version.
She did not improve her style. She changed it. All drawings are really good, but the new ones are more "human-like".
its pretty hard to change your style and her techniques do seem to have gotten better although I like the older ones because they look more disney
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The older ones are more true to the Disney style. The later ones are her own style it seems. Both are cool.
The earlier ones capture the characters' defining personalities better.
The style has changed and I like the 2016 versions better. They're more fresh and alive. In the 2018 versions the artist kills the colour a bit, almost afraid of a brave colour choice, with less definition. They're still better than what I can do but that's just my point of view.
I agree...no offense, but I think that she kind of took the life out of the 2018 ones. Just my personal opinion...
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As an artist myself I love the improvement in all of these and appreciate the take on these Disney ladies in a unique style. You can get those 2016 pictures on any Disney merchandise with princesses on them, the unique style is a huge improvement. Though I must add the previous drawings were amazing in their own right.
Her newer illustrations are a nice evolution from someone else's style to one of her own, showing more subtleties of expression. I hope she feels ready to take on the challenge of portraits of real people.
It is no secret that experience makes people better at the things they're doing. If every artist would post their "year 20xx and 20xx" comparison here...That is one way to gain attention, though..
I felt that the 2016 drawings better portrayed the disney characters even tho the newer drawings are drawn and detailed better they dont strike me as ariel or mulan etc.. but all of them are very good! good job!
I would encourage her to try her art with new characters. copying is a good thing when you are young, but you have to move on.
She can draw all that she wants, but she is still copying a Disney character. Do your own thing!
Well, almost all the 2018 drawings look chubbier (and that 2018 Jasmine is totaly Esmeralda)
It looks like she was trying to make them look more "realistic" to a degree, either way i like both of them. Good job.
I am not one to judge since I cannot draw worth a hoot. What I can say from just an observer is the artist seemed to grow up a little with the times. The art shows a certain, "adult look," more than a "child look," as the earlier drawings show. Both are very attractive. It might depend on what message they are sending with the characters... All seem beautiful and well done to me!
I don't think it's a matter of getting better with practice, it's more of an evolution of style and technique.
To me, the earlier photos are the illustrator's intended to be copies of Disney's work, but the later images show that she has begun to develop her own style. The 2018 images reflect more humanistic characteristics rather than cartoonish ones. Beautiful work all around!
Yup, give her another few years and she'll be better still, and then another few years...
I kind of like the older ones too as it seems more like the original cartoon. :? The other seems more realistic but also a different change in style... I guess it's kind of interesting though, the princesses could probably use a wardrobe change with some being decades old, reimagined and all that. :p
To everyone who liked the earlier ones better, I think the growth is that the later ones are more unique. The artist is really coming into her own. The earlier ones look more like the traditional Disney characters. There was clearly skill, but she was copying the style and character of the pictures. In the later ones, she has the necessary base skills to open up and express herself. Regardless of which one is more appealing, the 2018 ones are probably a lot more expressive of the artists inner voice. I've experienced the same transitions in my own art.
I love the more mature look of 2018, the befores were corny copies that didnt offer much difference from the original Disney drawings.
I think the only change is that the artist is developing her own style, which is better than straight up copying the animation look.
I think the earlier ones are more similar and the ones now are more revamped you could say...?
I agree each one seemed to have a background or history but the newer ones...sorry for saying this but they look like the modern whore
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both styles are great, both styles show skill and professionalism, some look better before, some after but all look amazing.
Beautiful, but the newer ones are far too dark. Otherwise, talented artist.
Your new style is a little muddy.y You might want to bring back some of the brighter colors.
All I can say is that her style changed. But is is now better than it was in 2016? It's debatable. To me the 2016 style is prettier...
I agree. All I see is a style change, not really an improvement in skills (the skills were already excellent in 2016). The earlier ones are very similar to the Disney originals, whereas the newer ones are different versions of these characters in the artist's particular style.
Load More Replies... I'd say it's more a difference in style than a straight-up improvement. I would also query whether she's using the same materials and equipment now as then. TL;DR: I like them both, I think she was good then and is still good ^_^
I agree! She is just as good both ways, but I just think she changed her style...
Load More Replies... In most cases, I actually like the left one more. Pocahontas being an exception
In the drawings from 2018, I can't tell who the characters are, unlike the drawings from 2016 where it is very clear. The drawings from 2018 may have a more personal style and may be better technically, but that I know nothing of.
Load More Replies... I don't find this an improvement - they don't look like the Disney characters anymore, it's just a change of style which, to me, lost the Disney "feel". LEft ones are way prettier to me too. Had I not seen the left one, I'd be speculating which Disney (if at all) toon I looked at in 2018.
Because they ALL have to look like true Disney, because apparently people think it's a crime for people to actually EMBRACE their amazing and unique art styles.
Load More Replies... That is an excellent way of putting it! The newer ones have a drag queen-ish feel.
Load More Replies... I'd like to see some of the artists work using original characters. There seems to be a lot of postings of various people's interpretations of Disney females. And that's just counting posts on Bored Panda. (A quick search found me at least 50). I don't understand the obsession.
Yes, exactly. I like all the comments about “it’s her own style” etc... then draw your own characters, full stop.
Load More Replies... Both versions are great. As mentioned earlier - it's different style, not better drawing. And I prefer 2016 version.
She did not improve her style. She changed it. All drawings are really good, but the new ones are more "human-like".
its pretty hard to change your style and her techniques do seem to have gotten better although I like the older ones because they look more disney
Load More Replies... The older ones are more true to the Disney style. The later ones are her own style it seems. Both are cool.
The earlier ones capture the characters' defining personalities better.
The style has changed and I like the 2016 versions better. They're more fresh and alive. In the 2018 versions the artist kills the colour a bit, almost afraid of a brave colour choice, with less definition. They're still better than what I can do but that's just my point of view.
I agree...no offense, but I think that she kind of took the life out of the 2018 ones. Just my personal opinion...
Load More Replies... As an artist myself I love the improvement in all of these and appreciate the take on these Disney ladies in a unique style. You can get those 2016 pictures on any Disney merchandise with princesses on them, the unique style is a huge improvement. Though I must add the previous drawings were amazing in their own right.
Her newer illustrations are a nice evolution from someone else's style to one of her own, showing more subtleties of expression. I hope she feels ready to take on the challenge of portraits of real people.
It is no secret that experience makes people better at the things they're doing. If every artist would post their "year 20xx and 20xx" comparison here...That is one way to gain attention, though..
I felt that the 2016 drawings better portrayed the disney characters even tho the newer drawings are drawn and detailed better they dont strike me as ariel or mulan etc.. but all of them are very good! good job!
I would encourage her to try her art with new characters. copying is a good thing when you are young, but you have to move on.
She can draw all that she wants, but she is still copying a Disney character. Do your own thing!
Well, almost all the 2018 drawings look chubbier (and that 2018 Jasmine is totaly Esmeralda)
It looks like she was trying to make them look more "realistic" to a degree, either way i like both of them. Good job.
I am not one to judge since I cannot draw worth a hoot. What I can say from just an observer is the artist seemed to grow up a little with the times. The art shows a certain, "adult look," more than a "child look," as the earlier drawings show. Both are very attractive. It might depend on what message they are sending with the characters... All seem beautiful and well done to me!
I don't think it's a matter of getting better with practice, it's more of an evolution of style and technique.
To me, the earlier photos are the illustrator's intended to be copies of Disney's work, but the later images show that she has begun to develop her own style. The 2018 images reflect more humanistic characteristics rather than cartoonish ones. Beautiful work all around!
Yup, give her another few years and she'll be better still, and then another few years...
I kind of like the older ones too as it seems more like the original cartoon. :? The other seems more realistic but also a different change in style... I guess it's kind of interesting though, the princesses could probably use a wardrobe change with some being decades old, reimagined and all that. :p
To everyone who liked the earlier ones better, I think the growth is that the later ones are more unique. The artist is really coming into her own. The earlier ones look more like the traditional Disney characters. There was clearly skill, but she was copying the style and character of the pictures. In the later ones, she has the necessary base skills to open up and express herself. Regardless of which one is more appealing, the 2018 ones are probably a lot more expressive of the artists inner voice. I've experienced the same transitions in my own art.
I love the more mature look of 2018, the befores were corny copies that didnt offer much difference from the original Disney drawings.
I think the only change is that the artist is developing her own style, which is better than straight up copying the animation look.
I think the earlier ones are more similar and the ones now are more revamped you could say...?
I agree each one seemed to have a background or history but the newer ones...sorry for saying this but they look like the modern whore
Load More Replies... both styles are great, both styles show skill and professionalism, some look better before, some after but all look amazing.
Beautiful, but the newer ones are far too dark. Otherwise, talented artist.
Your new style is a little muddy.y You might want to bring back some of the brighter colors.
