Bed Drawing Reference (2025)

FAQs

Is using reference for drawing cheating? ›

Using reference is not copying or stealing.

Sure, there could be problems with using reference if, instead of using it, you just copied a photograph you don't have the rights to use. That can cause some legal problems. But using reference is not just copying a photo—that really would be cheating (and the bad kind).

Because artists don't always have places they can go to draw from life, it's important to learn how to draw from reference images that can be found at home or even online.

Look for images that are high resolution. Reference photos are best when parts of the subject aren't cropped. Consider the lighting in the reference photo. Reference photos that have not been digitally altered as best.

Some professional artists use reference only as a way to develop their ability to draw or paint but avoid using reference directly when they are creating an original piece. Some artists feel it can hinder their ability to stay original or that it prevents their compositions from feeling alive and fresh.

Unlike following a pre-existing image, artists can infuse their drawings with personal meanings and emotions. Draw without reference fosters self-expression, enabling artists to create artwork that is not only deeply personal but also a beautiful manifestation of their imagination.

Start by mapping the basic shapes and forms in your reference, drawing lightly so you can erase parts of your guide as you develop details. Once your major elements are in place, you may draw lines to map out the perspective and shadowed areas.

As Sooz says, as long as you're not tracing someone else's art work and claiming it as your own, I see no issues at all with the convenience of tracing. Agreed, if it's a photo that you own, I would treat it as a part of the process. If it's someone else's then it could be viewed as plagiarism or a copyright violation.

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As you are drawing, place your index finger on your photo, in the exact place you're placing your pencil on your drawing. Go slowly and move your finger to match what you draw. This keeps your hand and eyes working together. You'll be much more accurate this way.

Can you learn drawing or is it a talent? ›

Some people believe that you need to be born with talent in order to be a good artist, but this is not true. Anyone can learn to draw or paint with enough practice. Some of the most famous artists in history were not born with talent, but they practiced regularly and became great artists.

The safest choice you can make when it comes to photo references and working from them, is to only work from photographs that you have permission to use. This could be from photographs that you've taken, photographs that you have written permission to use, or photographs that you find on royalty free websites.

For your own artwork, no reference in your Reference list is required. Insert your image into your assignment and put a short in-text citation beneath it. e.g.

However, not all advice was good. I was surprised when I saw some artists saying that using a reference is considered cheating and is not allowed. That advice my friends, is simply not true. Professional artists all over the world in various companies and top studios use references for their work.

General Issues for Artists

When an artist uses a photograph for reference, the painting or artwork is called a derivative work. While the artist can maintain some ownership over their own work, they first need permission from the original photographer to use the photo for reference.

First, tracing is not cheating IF you are working from your own initial drawing or photo. Now tracing IS cheating if one is copying someone else's work and claiming it as their own. That is plagerism and it is just- no. Second, copying a masters work to learn technique or composition etc.

Some might argue that using reference tracks is a bit of a cheat. However, we would argue that using a reference track is essentially ensuring that your work is in line with the very best music producers and mixers in the world.

Note that using a citation generator is not cheating or plagiarizing, unless the requirements for your paper specify that you do all citations manually, which is very uncommon.