Table of Contents
Is it OK to draw from reference?
Drawing from reference photos is bad practice when the artist is a slave to the photograph. It is poor practice to use other people’s photo references. Copying photos inhibits the artist from experimenting freely and stunts their ability to develop their own style. Do artists use reference pictures? Yes, artists do use reference pictures in a number of different ways depending on their practice. As mentioned before, photo reference in the world of art is very common. With the majority of artists having used a reference image at some point in their careers. If you yourself have made a drawing based on a copyrighted photo, you need the permission of the photographer before uploading your drawing here. Drawings based on several photos are derivative works of all of them, and permission from the authors of all copyrighted photos would be needed. You can never use too many references! I use at least 2 or 3 references every time I draw something. References are a great way to improve your art!  The reference photo overlays perfectly over the drawing. This is the best way to determine if something is traced or smudged. Find the original photo, overlay it over the drawing in an art program, and adjust the opacity. If they line up perfectly, down to the smallest detail, the drawing is probably fake. Not OK. You would be stealing someone else’s work. Take your own photos or better yet, draw from life. If you use it you can’t sell it or put it in your portfolio and you’ll always worry about being sued.
Is drawing from reference illegal?
First of all, keep this in mind: books or websites are copyrighted, and the photos within them are also copyrighted, either by the publisher or the photographer. Just because a photograph appears in a publication that is intended to be a reference does not mean it’s fair game for anyone to use. General Issues for Artists While the artist can maintain some ownership over their own work, they first need permission from the original photographer to use the photo for reference. For example, the Mona Lisa is in the public domain because Leonardo da Vinci died more than 70 years ago, but you can also find photographs of the Mona Lisa that are free to use here. Can I take an image from Google search? You cannot download or use images from Google without seeking permission from the copyright holder, unless your use falls within one of the exceptions or the work is distributed under an open licence such as Creative Commons. Cheating does come into the picture in the form of copyright, so it’s as well to be clear about using photographs you haven’t taken yourself. It is a breach of copyright to copy somebody else’s creative work without permission, including photographs. Cheating does come into the picture in the form of copyright, so it’s as well to be clear about using photographs you haven’t taken yourself. It is a breach of copyright to copy somebody else’s creative work without permission, including photographs.
Is it OK to use other art as reference?
If you must post it, mark it very clearly as a copy or put it side by side with the original. If you’re copying another artist’s style in order to do a pastiche or a satire, there’s no ethical problem with that. Is it Illegal to Copy Other People’s Art? No, it’s not illegal, you can copy other people’s art. However, it is illegal to present your work as being original. You should attribute your art as having been copied from another person’s work of art. Sure. If you create a work of art, you own the copyright to it, even when you sell it. That entitles you to copy it. The only time this is not true is if you create a work on contract and specifically give up your copyright to the person with whom you contracted. Copying pre-existing works is legal, so long as the original work is in the public domain (meaning that the copyright on that work has expired).
Should I draw from reference or imagination?
Using references will make you better at drawing from imagination. The idea behind using references is to capture more information that can be translated into your artwork. A reference can be used for technical and emotive studies. Think of it as a library that you are creating around your areas of interest. Yes, artists do use reference pictures in a number of different ways depending on their practice. As mentioned before, photo reference in the world of art is very common. With the majority of artists having used a reference image at some point in their careers. So is drawing from reference cheating? No, it is not! When you are using reference the right way and if you are not just copying, what you are seeing or tracing from your reference, then using reference Images will actually help you improve your drawings drastically. All artists need reference. Even the drawings, poses, or acting choices you’re pulling from your head are based on what you’ve observed in life. You may take bits from here and there, like the head of a snake and the body of a giraffe, but even your final Gir-rake creature is a product of reference. Please remember that drawing with or without references is completely okay. It isn’t cheating in any sense.
Is it OK to reference other people’s art?
The essential thing to understand is that reference in and of itself is harmless. It is nothing more than a source of information. Every artist, at one point or another, has used reference, either as a tool for study when learning or as a way to create more realism in original artwork. You can never use too many references! I use at least 2 or 3 references every time I draw something. References are a great way to improve your art! Drawing from reference photos is bad practice when the artist is a slave to the photograph. It is poor practice to use other people’s photo references. Copying photos inhibits the artist from experimenting freely and stunts their ability to develop their own style. Copying another artist’s work can be a wonderful way to learn, get inspired, get ideas, honor an influence you love, and create something new. All art is a mash up of ideas, and we can all influence and inspire each other, so long as we are creating and sharing from a place of honesty and transparency. The Three C’s in Art: Concept, Content and Context (2)
Is drawing from reference a skill?
Drawing is a visual skill, you’ll develop better ability when you observe and reference from real life. Drawing is a skill that is taught, learned, practiced and developed. It’s just like any other skill such as playing a musical instrument, or learning a sport. It takes knowledge and practice to develop it. Anyone can learn how to draw, including you. Drawing is tiring because it requires intense levels of focused concentration. Each drawing is a puzzle. It involves extreme hand and eye coordination, advanced spatial awareness, and the ability to see and render fine detail. The process exhausts the mind. 99.99% of the population can draw at a certain skill level. Drawing things such as smiley faces, emojis, arrows, and symbols (sun, moon, stars, etc.) proves to be an easy task for many, and is still considered a form of drawing. The motivation to draw requires self-discipline and a routine. Give your day a work structure, get up at the same time, start work at the same time, give yourself small goals, and follow through. Take mini-breaks, finish at the same, and give yourself a treat. Repeat, and make it a habit. The 50% rule is simple. All of the time you spend on drawing is to be divided into two equal portions. One half will include anything and everything you do with the purpose of improving your skills. Coursework, exercises, studies, tutorials, etc.
Can you draw on procreate reference?
Freehand Sketch from a Reference Image Procreate allows you to pull up a small reference image next to your canvas that you can reference to create your sketch. To open up the reference image window in Procreate, tap the wrench icon, tap Canvas, and toggle on the switch next to “Reference.” Drawing with reference (exact replica) When a person is just learning how to draw, the fastest way to get better at drawing is to use references. Every single artist does this. It is almost impossible to draw from imagination and get better at drawing at the beginning because we have no understanding of: Human anatomy. If you’re looking for a powerful and easy-to-use drawing app for your iPad, Procreate is the best choice because it has features and functions geared toward the beginner. The basics of Procreate are easy to learn, you can advance your skills when necessary, and there are plenty of online tutorials to help you.