Shattered-Earth on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/shattered-earth/art/The-BASICS-Using-References-255875213Shattered-Earth

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July 14, 2014
The BASICS : Using References by Shattered-Earth  References are an invaluable tool, learning how to use them well can make all the difference to your artwork!
Featured by Elandria
Suggested by TinyFlyThing
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The BASICS : Using References

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Description

If you like this tutorial or do not like it, please take some time to tell me why so I will know how to make any future tutorials! Thanks :D:heart:

USING REFERENCES


Disclaimer: Some will disagree with me on how to use references, which is totally normal. This is just how i believe is the best and more beneficial way to use them. If you disagree and have a better tutorial feel free to link in the comments with your (polite) argument, i won't delete them if they aren't flamey or antagonistic XD. Alternate viewpoints to consider: [link] [link]

This is just born out of seeing what a lot of beginner artists do, which is straight up copy a photo and re clothe it. Sure it's legal and like stuff to do this, especially if you credit the photo, but it's not IMO the best way to draw with references. This is not the same as studying from a photo or doing live modelling sessions. Studying is not passed as original art and the goal is to learn and get close to the original. Drawing from the mirror or a live model is also different because of the way your eyes work. You have to actively decide how to flatten the 3d image your eyes receive into one 2d flat image you draw and this exercises your brain in ways photos will never do.

Just copying a single photo for what you have problems with or the entire pose isn't going to be as helpful as examining many, this attempts to replicate what having a live model would do, that is give you dimensions and 3d form to learn from. I believe it's the best way to use references and I believe it'll be beneficial to many beginners.

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Stock images are taken from *SenshiStock and ~Nemesis-19 as well as google to illustrate my point. If you have any issues with this please contact me via note :)

Other basic tuts:
Image size
600x6667px 3.43 MB
© 2011 - 2024 Shattered-Earth
Comments827
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PinkPlasticPrincess's avatar

I'm glad this tutorial works for people! Though personally, it'll never work for me. I've always been very bad at picturing and visualizing things in my head, especially in a way that makes sense. (be that from an anatomical or lighting perspective) Because of that, I always rely heavily on references that I have permission to use. Senshistock really is amazing!