DOXY’S NOTES!
How-to Reference
This is a hot button IMO and always will be. Non artist hate to consider the fact that an artist is not a magical creature, and though some artists can draw immaculately without reference they only got there because they at some point referenced an image or real life. The complexity arises in the various method referencing is used and the perception of “cheating” with the public at large. This ties into the unfortunate reality that most of the general public values realism, complexity or difficulty of task and length of time taken as the only merits to art. That’s a topic in which a long discussion could be had but the fact remains: The public likes to think art is magical. This leads directly into why referencing will always be in a murky grey zone with most audiences.
So lets break down referencing into some major groups to clarify the different methods used.
Inspiration
- This is a collection of images or photos someone collects to help inspire them either to draw or to focus on a concept or output they want to achieve. This is a popular method and is often used by concept artists. The goal is to give the artist some direction and focus without using any of the art directly in any context.
Research
- Guns, buildings, old clothing, hats from the 60’s. Referencing for accuracy’s sake and nothing else. This is in a way the purest form of referencing. You simply do NOT know what the trigger looks like on a sniper rifle or how the architecture in modern day sweden looks like. You find images and use those images to construct content accurately.
Anatomical Guides
- Anatomical guides, breakdowns, skeletons, muscle layout and etc… You are looking to know where everything is placed. The pose and the style of the guide is irrelevant to the final product.
Stylistic Guides
- You collect art that matches a specific style you are looking to emulate. Anime, superhero comics, adventure time and similar styles. You want to portray a certain look and you have assembled a collection that matches that grouping. People are very touchy about style so this is one of those murky reference usages.
Colour Keys
- Swatches or images you intend to use for no other purpose than to reference the colours, lighting. This is also very popular with concept artists since it’s hard to imagine a hundred different lighting scenarios.
Model Sheet
- Used extensively for animators. Model sheets are often created by the artist themselves to ensure they keep their art consistent. Most of the time when a model sheet is used there is no confusion with usage to reference since the goal is to match the source exactly.
Correction
- Corrective referencing as I call it is when you drew something and it mostly right but something feels off. We are talking hands, eye placement, arm placement and etc. The goal of using this reference is to correct a mistake with a similar reference.
Tracing
- Now hold your horses! We’ve all heard about how evil tracing is but I used it quite often. I’ll explain in detail how it can be a force of good below.
For the sake of simplicity let’s consider all these methods as a form of referencing one way or another. Okay good now for something most people don’t want to hear.
— SPOILER ALERT —-
Most artists, especially the goods ones and MOST ESPECIALLY the ones who draw realistically USE REFERENCES. No I’m not talking “They study anatomy but then draw from their mind right?”. No. NO. They fucking literally have 1 or 2 images they use as a DIRECT METHOD OF COPYING.
— SPOILER ALERT —-
Your favorite comic book artist? Chances are they reference older art they’ve drawn, photos they’ve taken. Many comic book artist simply trace and colour pick photos they’ve taken themselves and you will never fucking know.
BUT! You say you know an artist who doesn’t reference! Maybe. There’s a few remarkably talented people out there who absorb everything like a sponge by just looking at it. For the rest of us fucking losers we have to draw and reference and copy until it sticks in our stupid arrogant little skulls. To repeat: If you aren’t hyper talented you will NOT improve unless you reference. You will draw very refined versions of crappy art.
“But I just want to draw goofy cartoon stuff like Adventure Time”, You may say. Well you’re already referencing Adventure Time so it’s not like you are free of this method either. If you use any image to help bridge the gap between your vision and your skill, you are referencing.
So what about tracing. How can it be good? I use tracing to cross-reference my references especially when i’m studying. It highlights major difference between my visual approximation and what is really there. By tracing over a drawing after i’ve reference it I can find my blind spots. “But that’s the only time it’s good to use right?” Nope! I used it to better understand surface musculature in photos by tracing shapes and defining their volume. I also trace over inked comic pages to better understand how to handle my ink thickness and what size to set my brush at for a certain look.
Direct tracing is also a common method for young children or beginner artists who are just starting to grasp various art techniques. This is mostly used for personal development and is usually not shared publicly. If you do decide to post it, ask the original artist/photographer/etc for permission first, and don’t forget to provide proper credit!
Referencing in a nutshell
In every incarnation of referencing there is a positive improvement based method of using it. Like any tool it can be used to promote your innate skills beyond their current levels or as a crutch to prop yourself up lazily. The difference you can tell very easily. Does my brain hurt? If your brain hurts when referencing it’s probably your noggin doing little summersaults of thought to be eventually replaced by confidence and satisfaction. If your brain doesn’t hurt and everything feels easy and immediately rewarding, you most likely did something that will not help you improve. This will only support you to a certain level temporarily without any lasting power.
Referencing is the most powerful tool an artist has. If you are seeking to Improve do not snub this tool. Using it will inch you closer to accurately portraying your artistic vision.
