I have zero compunction talking about the fact that I almost always find or build references. Artists should work smart, not hard, and I think sometimes we're shy to admit that, like it takes away something from our work. - ThreadSky

gchoule.bsky.social • 20 days ago

I have zero compunction talking about the fact that I almost always find or build references. Artists should work smart, not hard, and I think sometimes we're shy to admit that, like it takes away something from our work.

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gchoule.bsky.social•20 days ago

Indirect reference too.... I don't know why people feel the need to come up with everything in their own brains when the world around them is so interesting, and Right There.

I think being curious is genuinely one of my best assets as an artist!

phorrums.bsky.social•19 days ago

The chance for hundreds of people to suddenly try to ruin your life online over it is kind of scary though ngl.

But I can only draw flawed copies of my references so my output would be easy for them to rip apart.

jackattack.bsky.social•20 days ago

I have never understood where the clap back against references has spawned from. Literally every artist from our ancestors painting on walls until now has looked at stuff to draw it. It's the most intuitive tool!!

gchoule.bsky.social•20 days ago

We point to other artists doing it, older artists doing it, but I think we're shy about talking about our own processes. Do not look at the man behind the curtain... It's too bad, I think we're all better off when we teach each other and help one another grow!

pixelatedbubbles.bsky.social•19 days ago

The first time I saw it happening was back in the early-ish days of Deviant Art. Calling out art thieves went from a "ensuring there's credit where credit is due" mindset to a "I'm jealous this artist is doing better than me, they must be cheating!"

So anyone using refs started getting harassed.

coelasquid.bsky.social•19 days ago

I honestly think it’s a really cool part of artistic development when you realize you’re self-aware of your style enough to know how to fuck with reference enough to make it “wrong” in a way that looks right with your art!

coelasquid.bsky.social•19 days ago

Like I have so many occasions where I’m using a reference and realize like “I have to make this leg way longer or these fingers more spidery or this hand like almost twice the size for it to look like a part of this universe”

isaidiwasawizard.bsky.social•19 days ago

Yea. You’re supposed to use references. Anyone who says otherwise is a fucking idiot

kotalketz.bsky.social•19 days ago

I feel like we are always having this conversation about using reference. Idk what it is cause im openly a very heavy reference use artist.

aeskit.bsky.social•19 days ago

Thanks you. Bless for these words. I always feel people fear the references like it make you a lesser artist. No, honey no. Drawing from memories is fine but if you want to get better at if. Draw from ref first.

michaeljohnmorris.bsky.social•19 days ago

I like to think of it as like rotoscoping, where animators trace frames of animation from footage of real life people or props. Disney used it as far back as Snow White. ^^

dong.social•18 days ago

you can absolutely use poser without being one

kikirenay.bsky.social•19 days ago

These pieces are gorgeous and dynamic! Ty for talking about using references, it is such a normal part of the process and so many people don’t understand that.

gchoule.bsky.social•19 days ago

Thank you, Kiki!

d-weller-art.bsky.social•19 days ago

It feels a bit scary for a newbie artist to even share their work, because there are so many accusations of "heavily referencing" flying around, and you don't even understand what "heavy reference" even means and why it is supposed to be bad 😭
Thank you for your statement!

amradio.bsky.social•20 days ago

You don’t let the Reference dictate your gesture, though. and that has been a problem with the CSP models lately-

Making a lot artwork look the same, and stiff, or the sillohuette is unclear in the hands of someone who does not know how to make the *reference* work for you, & not work you over.

amradio.bsky.social•20 days ago

My last teacher called it: “Sometimes nature lies, & we have to fix that”

when we had a live model, and we had to learn to make the pose clear by modifying the silhouette and ‘alive’ with gesture.

Pro Photos are great cuz the sillohuette is usually good to go!

3d models: have to be aware.

amradio.bsky.social•20 days ago

But I try to spread this info around for new artists to know when wielding those 3d models/mannequins. 🫠

But you, you know how to use the reference, and these are all perfect examples I can share around :3

gchoule.bsky.social•19 days ago

It's a good point worth bringing up! I agree that it's easy to fall into the trap of being to slavish to ref at the expense of clarity and artistry. Best to avoid tracing and study what works and doesn't about your reference!

amradio.bsky.social•19 days ago

pixelatedbubbles.bsky.social•19 days ago

Also (At least for me) there's a bit of fun coming across a piece of art and going... "OOO I know what they referenced!!!"

It's like finding someone else who remembers that old commercial jingle from 20+ years ago.

Great way to see how the same thing can be the basis of so many different styles.

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