melon

Because of ArtFight's recent rule clarification, I've seen discussion on whether tracing your own photos is the same as references them. This is, in my opinion, a matter of semantics. Tracing your own photos IS a method of using them as reference. It is perfectly normal and doesn't hurt anyone. When it comes to self made resources (photos, sculpture, maquettes, 3D sculpts, etc) and resources made explicitly for artists to use (stock photos with appropriate permission, 3D models in CSP, etc), tracing can be ONE step of using them as a reference. It isn't a "crutch", it isn't cheating.

You can also put the photo up next to what you're drawing, and draw from sight. Or trace the photo a few times, then draw it separately. These all have value for different situations for learning, speed, and accuracy, and I recommend trying them ALL.

Watching her was an incredible, exhilarating experience. Seriously look up any of her races on YouTube. She was an amazing closing finisher. She’d be dead last until the very end before just blowing past her competition and leaving them all in her dust at the last moment.

She also had serious fucking personality. Before each race she would prance and paw at the ground, like a human athlete limbering up before competition. The most star quality I’ve ever seen from a horse.

Pond