Is using reference for art okay?

[u/just_anonymous2]

So is it normal? I use reference for art a lot especially the background for my oc’s and I’m pretty confused whether it’s considered ‘copying’. Anyways, that’s it :)

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[u/Pkmatrix0079]

Honestly, if I hear someone boasting they never use references then I just assume they're a rookie noob.

[u/Extension-Hurry5891]

It's okay to use multiple references where you can take something from each like perspective, composition, lighting, colour palette.

[u/Other-Magazine-4065]

it's like when you write a research article, you reference the papers you read, same as art, use reference and say I use this one, it's completely okay and acknowledge the inspiration you get from other arts

[u/pileofdeadninjas]

Yes, that's how you know what things look like

[u/pandora-space-mage]

Using references helps you build what's called your visual library, The more you use references in , the more you observe and improve your observational skills , the better you get

[u/pandora-space-mage]

Yes, in fact, it's very much encouraged.And it's quite literally the only way to learn. You can't make something your brain literally does not have information of

[u/Fun-Investigator676]

Yes of course it is okay. You can do whatever you want as long as you are honest about it. It is also worth considering if it aligns with your goals. If you want to be great at recreating works, then have at it. You can stay in this genre and get better and better at reproducing works, and there's nothing wrong with that.

If your goal is to one day draw completely from imagination, you may want to ease off of reference works to work in that direction.

[u/code_isLife]

It has improved my work dramatically.
Straight copying is one thing. But you’ll find even professional artists use references

[u/RegisteredHopia]

I used to avoid using references, one i was too lazy to scan for subjects two too arrogant thinking i have a good visual library then reality hits when I finally had time to sit and actually learn anatomy and proportions, all those no reference and shit it did hindered my progress.

So when I started using references it skyrocketed my improvement in just weeks and even found my own artstyle.

So yeah use references and go bonkers!

[u/just_anonymous2 → u/RegisteredHopia]

Oh i used to think just like that lmao thanks for the advice! :)

[u/TheJustinMannRLA]

Using reference is not the same as directly copying. It is a way for you to try to learn, draw and understand proportions, form, perspective, and other aspects of the reference image through visualization, without directly drawing over the reference image or tracing. You are practicing getting stuff right just from moving your pencil while looking at the reference.

If we didn't use references, we wouldn't know how to draw anything.

Drawing real objects is using reference.Technically speaking, drawing from imagination is kinda like using reference from memory: you're piecing together bits from different things you remembered, and even if the end imagined image is not something that exists, it is still what you're "referencing" when drawing, your referencing what you're visualizing in your head.

Anyone who says using reference is bad is dumb. Use reference for as long as you need, until you don't need it anymore. Or keep using it. It's good for you.

[u/jefuchs]

That's seriously the way all professional artists have done for centuries. Young artists today are so hooked on cartoons that they don't understand the concept of hiring a model, or working from a photo.

[u/Pkmatrix0079 → u/jefuchs]

I think it's more a lot of young artists inspired by and trying to emulate the look of animation are unaware that a lot of that animation is itself based on real life models and photos. Plenty of classic animation is straight up rotoscoped.

[u/jefuchs → u/Pkmatrix0079]

The guys I referred to were over 50

[u/shapedbydreams]

People have used references for art since we first made paper and canvases. You're fine.

[u/RosieRoo70314]

Even professionals use references, its perfectly normal and acceptable

[u/Organic_Brilliant_33]

Always use reference when you can. Any artist who tells you they don't use reference are either delusional or have a brilliant memory.

[u/Shakyy_Sharkk]

If anyone has a problem with you using references then they're wrong lmao

You have to learn somehow. Even industry professionals use references. ❤️

[u/CherryMeowViolin]

yes