"Once your drawing skills have been established and refined,
it may acceptable to trace from photographs occasionally;
to correct, fine tune or save time."
~ Sandy Sandy
I feel that tracing before you actually learn how to draw is cheating yourself out of the gift of refined artistic sight and is a detriment to your continued development as an artist. A huge part of learning to draw, is learning to really SEE. Drawing and advanced observational skills can only be developed through using them! Learning to draw, especially from life, teaches you to translate what your eyes see, into a language of two dimensional lines, values and shapes. This is why life drawing is so important; and why it has always been at the forefront in all classical art education!
It is often obvious, to those with the acquired skills, when something has been traced from a photo without a solid knowledge of 3D form. This 'insight' and ability is only acquired through educated study and practice. In my opinion, tracing, especially when done from someone else's photo, does very little to teach drawing skills or contribute to one's long term development as an artist.
The photograph, that someone else took, and the perspective that went into creating it, belongs to someone else; even if it was bought or is in the public domain. When tracing, no matter how much you change the colors, or what techniques you employ, it is still not truly your own art. You are not adding your own perspective into it and you are inevitably cheating yourself out of your own growth and unique vision.
I do think it is OK to trace to save time or to refine your drawing, once you are already adept in drawing skills; but it is no way to learn the essential Right Brain Shift and really start SEEING.
Everybody feels awkward and fumbles around with it in the beginning. Even if you can draw, but have been delinquent in doing it for a while, it can make you feel downright inadequate and uncomfortable. But that's what growth is all about! Accept the challenge and enjoy the process. If you work through it, and dedicate some time everyday (as little as 15 - 30 minutes), I assure you, that drawing will become easier and more enjoyable the more you do it.
I used the same grid on my photo and the drawing to help me see the shapes more easily.
I will be drawing again everyday from June - August. Why don't you give it a try? I'm sure you will agree that refining your drawing skills will open up your eyes like nothing else and really make you SEE like never before! Join our facebook group here.
"When drawing lies fallow, the skill diminishes."
"Draw, as much and as often as you can."
~ Gene Black
"As you make drawing a daily habit,
your sight will be enhanced tremendously;
your hand will become more coordinated
and your marks will be more
beautiful, spontaneous and sure."
I will be drawing again everyday from June - August. Why don't you give it a try? I'm sure you will agree that refining your drawing skills will open up your eyes like nothing else and really make you SEE like never before! Join our facebook group here.
"When drawing lies fallow, the skill diminishes."
"Draw, as much and as often as you can."
~ Gene Black
"As you make drawing a daily habit,
your sight will be enhanced tremendously;
your hand will become more coordinated
and your marks will be more
beautiful, spontaneous and sure."
~ Sandy Sandy
X ♥ O
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Don't miss this fun adventure.
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