Some hate them, some see them as essential.
But what is it about using references that divides opinions so much?
Those who are against references, emphasize that everything we draw should come from our own mind and skill. They see references as a way of copying, diminishing creativity and the will to improve and practice based on the own observations of real life.
And those who see them as essential...well, many of them want to draw or paint as realistic as possible! They think of references as important, as it helps understand shadows and cast shadows, form, value and colors. And, it is a form of practice too.
Both standpoints hold a truth to it. While using references help to get a drawing more accurate - for example when drawing a portrait of someone - doing this only might not help with creating your own landscapes or characters. But even there it can help! It is possible to combine elements of different photographs, to create your own backgrounds or ideas. If you don't know how to draw something, a reference can help you analyse the object and learn about it. In that way, it can improve you how to draw.
So basically, references are a tool and once again, it is just a matter on how or whether you want to use them.
And what if you want to use another artists artwork as a reference? Well, of course you can get inspired by it to make your own drawing or painting. But if you use certain elements completely, or even want to copy the whole painting or drawing and claiming it as your own, so purely copying references, without adapting anything is another matter once again!
But what is it about using references that divides opinions so much?
Those who are against references, emphasize that everything we draw should come from our own mind and skill. They see references as a way of copying, diminishing creativity and the will to improve and practice based on the own observations of real life.
And those who see them as essential...well, many of them want to draw or paint as realistic as possible! They think of references as important, as it helps understand shadows and cast shadows, form, value and colors. And, it is a form of practice too.
Both standpoints hold a truth to it. While using references help to get a drawing more accurate - for example when drawing a portrait of someone - doing this only might not help with creating your own landscapes or characters. But even there it can help! It is possible to combine elements of different photographs, to create your own backgrounds or ideas. If you don't know how to draw something, a reference can help you analyse the object and learn about it. In that way, it can improve you how to draw.
So basically, references are a tool and once again, it is just a matter on how or whether you want to use them.
And what if you want to use another artists artwork as a reference? Well, of course you can get inspired by it to make your own drawing or painting. But if you use certain elements completely, or even want to copy the whole painting or drawing and claiming it as your own, so purely copying references, without adapting anything is another matter once again!
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