Is It Cheating to Use Other Peoples Art as Reference

When information technology comes to using references to make art, in that location are a lot of mixed signals. Is using references for making art cheating? Are there legal considerations? This read will ease your concerns, clear upwards misconceptions and give yous insight on proper apply.

Using reference is NOT adulterous. Using reference is an historic period-old practice. When used correctly it is a valuable tool both for study and for creating original content. Like any tool, we should avert the dangers and learn to use it finer and with purpose.

One of the biggest misunderstandings regarding reference is that it somehow removes the authenticity of your personal expression so first, lets start with a definition of what reference actually is.

What Is Reference for Art?

101 Dalmatians: Helene Stanley (left) & Mary Wickes act out a scene as reference for Disney animators.

Reference is not something you lot copy or claim equally your own or use directly in your creations.

In the visual arts, using reference is the practice of discovering data in a photograph and/or existent-world object, person, or location. This data is used to requite the creative person better understanding of their subject and create a stronger sense of believability in the art that is being created.

The essential thing to sympathize is thatreference in and of itself is harmless. It is nothing more than a source of information. Every artist, at one signal or another, has used reference, either as a tool for written report when learning or as a manner to create more realism in original artwork. Even if y'all have never looked at anything but existent-world subjects, yous are still using references.

Why Do Artists Use References?

Nosotros can't remember every single detail of everything we accept e'er seen. If nosotros but relied on our retention to create fine art, we would miss out on many important details that can bring depth and interest to our artwork.

When used correctly, reference bridges the gap between the limits of our retentiveness and the believability nosotros desire to capture in our art.

Even if the intent is to create something very stylized or "unrealistic" at that place is even so a valuable identify for references. A photo or a existent-world object will requite you data that you use to inform your art, Even if you are being very selective near what information you cull to include, having more options is better than having less.

Filling the visual library. The most beneficial period of fourth dimension to utilize reference is when yous are learning new information. Using imagery or real-earth observation to create a shop of visual retentivity in your mind is almost a necessity. It simply isn't possible to conjure equally of information you will always need for making fine art just by using your imagination. The images have to come from somewhere. You have to make full the visual library before yous can brand use of the information in that location and doing then requires study.

Creating a more than convincing reality. Yous don't have to be aiming for photorealism in your work to want the imagery to be convincing and conceivable. Using an image that depicts the conditions, textures, and furnishings you lot are striving for in a real-world setting can offer pieces of information you may otherwise have missed or imagined incorrectly.

Norman Rockwell: the soda fountain

How to Utilise Art Reference

There are risks when using references for fine art so information technology is important to know how to utilise it effectively without becoming dependant on it.

Art reference should inform and support the decisions you brand in creating a piece of art. Nonetheless, for references to have a positive touch on your work, you lot must remain in command of the decision-making procedure.

Here are some highly effective ways to use reference as a powerful tool while assuasive your own creativity and imagination to take the lead:

Report and learning. References are a keen resource when studying to improve. Find photos of the themes and subjects you are trying to learn, report them with quick sketches or try and memorize them in your mind'due south eye. So put them away and attempt to recreate what you have observed from memory. When you run into a wall and can not go any further, repeat the process. This is a very powerful manner to develop your visual library and sense of blueprint.

Brainstorming, sketching, and thumbnails. When you are creating original content you lot may want to start first past letting you lot imagination run wild and play with a wide variety of ideas. Explore these ideas with brainstorming exercises, quick doodles and sketches. It is besides very useful to create miniature scale versions of your composition called thumbnails.

• Using these techniques you will create new ideas quickly. These ideas will build on each other and lead to surprising solutions. Once you have a strong idea for the story y'all desire to tell you can then seek reference which will aid y'all create the imagery you demand to tell that story.

The reference sandwich. When searching for reference make sure you have adult an idea to some caste beforehand. Don't permit your reference search dictate the direction of the fine art. That'southward when your art becomes dependent on the reference. When y'all have a collection of references that support your initial thought use the reference to help establish the full general features. This might include some characteristics of lighting, anatomy, or costume pattern, just for instance.

• Set the background and develop the elements of your design far enough to start being able to build from your ain knowledge. Then put the reference abroad and start working from your own sense of blueprint and aesthetics. Now it's the time for your artistic voice to come through.

• At points, you may meet roadblocks. Maybe you are struggling with some anatomy or the folds of a wearing apparel are non looking as disarming every bit you would similar. That's when the reference tin can come up dorsum out. Use information technology to polish and put the finishing touches on a slice. By this time, the bear on of your personal flair and style is in place and then you are just getting modest technical details hammered out.

Whenever possible create your own reference. if you need a particular pose, with a specific kind of lighting so set up your own photoshoot! This doesn't have to be a large expensive production with professional models and costumes. It could be as simple equally setting your phone up with a timer and so you can get into the pose that you need for a figure. Or, if you want to get more elaborate, yous can practise some austerity store hunting to detect fabrics and wear that will emulate the costume blueprint yous are creating.

• The next level is to utilise lamps in your house to create the lighting scenario you want. if the lighting in the scene you are painting has a specific colour effort and find low-cal bulbs that are color tinted to create that wait for a photograph.

Paolo Rivera posing every bit reference for his AVENGERS cover: Black Widow & Helm America paolarivera.com

Use references from a wide diversity of sources. There is a saying that stealing from one person is plagiarism just stealing from 10 people is research. The point is that if you lot use a variety of sources your creative response volition mirror the variety rather than the specific look of one or two things.

Make it your ain. How tin can yous apply artistic color palettes? What details can you alter? Always be conscious of means you tin can interpret the images yous are using for reference so that you lot are non just mindlessly copying. In this way, you can be inspired by your references rather than beingness dependant on them to do all the work for you.

When Is Using Reference a Drawback?

Plain, overt theft is a bad idea but you can notwithstanding go yourself into trouble if you replicate an image too closely in your work, even if your intent is non to plagiarize. This tin happen without the artist even realizing it.

In some cases, reference tin go a crutch if y'all rely on it likewise much or you use information technology at the expense of developing your visual library. To counteract these pitfalls use references equally a written report guide early on and and then create as much as you can of your own imagery from retention, imagination. Practice using your ain problem-solving skills and they will become stronger and your demand for more and more specific references will go less demanding.

Do Professionals E'er Employ References In Their Work?

Dave Rapoza: "I collect reference materials & keep a mirror nearby"

Professional artists are using reference more ofttimes than non merely some use it more than others. Some professional artists utilise reference only as a way to develop their ability to draw or paint but avoid using reference directly when they are creating an original slice.

Some artists feel information technology can hinder their ability to stay original or that it prevents their compositions from feeling live and fresh. Arguably this has more than to exercise with the creative person than the utilize of reference simply that doesn't hateful they are incorrect. Every artist has to figure out for themselves what works all-time in their process and just because i artist does information technology one way, doesn't mean you accept to exercise it that way or that you lot are wrong for doing information technology differently.

Can You Draw Without Reference?

You lot might be thinking that if references are such a good tool why would you ever make fine art without them? Or you might be thinking of artists you know who never use references.

Certainly, it is possible to describe without reference and this exercise should even be encouraged equally a mode to develop your personal style and imagination.

Cartoon without reference is practiced practice to strengthen the mental power needed for developing creative ideas. When you lot are studying it is very beneficial to use the reference every bit a learning aid, then to put it away and try and recreate your own version of the image based on what yous remember.

Often times y'all may want to start your art pieces without references and only search for them if in that location is a very specific demand. Or just to not use reference at all!

There is no right or incorrect respond when information technology comes to using references for art. Your biggest success will come from trying many combinations of options and seeing what works best for you lot.

Is Tracing a Good Way to Learn?

Information technology goes without saying that you should never trace an image and phone call information technology your ain. In that location is one place, however, where it may exist appropriate to trace reference images.

When used as a method of study tracing images can teach you many things nearly construction and composition. When tracing images to larn you must follow the tracing with a drawing of your own attempt so the information becomes part of your visual memory.

When it is beingness used to learn, tracing should only be used equally a way toanalyzea subject to learn how information technology is put together, how information technology is positioned in space, what are its proportions, and so on.

How To Utilise Photo References Without Violating Copyright Constabulary

Even if you are not directly tracing or copying, using photo references for making art can get you lot into trouble if you are non conscientious. Copyright law will besides change from region to region and then be aware of what your countries regulations entail.

To ensure you are safe from copyright violation apply references for your fine art from sources that offer royalty-free photography or that will grant you a licensing agreement for a fee. If that is non an option be sure to modify the nature of the work then that it is your own interpretation.

In the U.Southward. Courts will measure copyright infringement four points from §107 of the Copyright Act:

1. How the copyrighted textile was used, well-nigh specifically, whether such utilize was for profit or not.

2. The content and nature of the original copyrighted piece of work

3. What amount of the copyrighted work has been used in relation to the original as a whole.

4. Whether the use of the copyrighted work has affected the market value of the original content.

Where To Get References

One of the most overlooked sources of gratuitous reference photos is taking your own pictures. Most artists will have access to a high-quality photographic camera in their pocket. Past now every smartphone is equipped with a land-of-the-fine art camera. This is the perfect opportunity to begin developing a library of helpful photos.

If taking your own photos is not an selection there are many online resources for pictures that will non violate copyright. Yous can use free services like stocksnap.io , pixabay , or pexels . There are also paid services like Adobe Stock , Dreamstime , and Shutterstock

You tin can also click here for a long list of more free sites. Some of these sites do have creative commons agreements so be sure to read their instructions carefully. If you are creating big volumes of content, the paid sites may actually be cost-effective every bit they will save time with searchability and more variety.

Thanks For Reading!

If yous ever desire to ask questions or hash out anything yous read here delight feel gratuitous to reach out through the contact folio or visit my Twitch channel and ask me anything in real-time! I stream Wednesday-Friday 10 am-three pm PST.

I also co-host a podcast for artists called Art Condition where we hash out the business and mindset for artists. Click here to run into past episodes and subscribe on your favorite platform.

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Source: https://www.jobydorr.com/blog/2021/2/10/how-to-use-reference-for-art-when-its-good-and-when-its-bad

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