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HOW TO MAKE YOUR ART LOOK NICE: Reference n Style
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Published: 2014-06-08 22:37:41 +0000 UTC; Views: 147919; Favourites: 6751; Downloads: 0
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Description
To all my fellow artblocked, stumped, and confused artists, here's a kinda long guide on how to work around your stumps! And it's also basically the answer to why some artists are good/awesome and how you can work your way to become as good/awesome/even better than them!Some works used in this aren't mine and are used for reference purposes and are credited as such.
Keep practicing yo! and excuse my writing
EDIT: Holy man, thanks so much EeNii and Elandria !
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My HOW TO MAKE YOUR ART LOOK NICE Series:
Color and Harmony
Contrast
Flow and Rhythm in Lines
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Comments: 455
Yeah, references are an amazing thing to have on-hand. It's helped me SOOO much with many Transformers and other character drawings. XD I even have a whole folder dedicated to nothing but reference images.
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That's great to hear! I know lots of artists who have dual monitors because they sometimes use that one monitor for putting up references on it
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Lol, I just set my tablet right near my pencil & paper. I don't exactly have the stuff for digital art yet. :/ XD Yeah, it's definitely a good thing to have when drawing, and I can totally see others using dual monitors for that kind of thing.
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had me cracking up while I was informed so this was a fav XD
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This has been the most helpful thing on the entire internet.
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oh mah gawd, someone did it! finally! I basically learned art so i could prove just how important using reference is! (because tutorials never tell you about em)
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There aren't that many tips online regarding the power of references. So I had to do it :9
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All of your words are true and I agree.
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THIS IS SO AMAZING. I must agree with everything you've said, 'cause whenever I use references my art looks 100% better. Great job on the tut!
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I know right? References definitely add that oomph lol
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god bless for making this guide omf
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I agree with everything on here, except for that quote by Pablo Picasso, lol. Β I think a good point that should have been added is that: it's always ok to reference from other artists, but only if you're using small pieces of their work - the way they happened to light a subject, the way they did a rock's texture. Β Once you start directly copying the subjects of their art, then you need to ask permission first, otherwise that is illegal unless you are only doing it for your own practice, and not to sell. Β But in all cases where you are copying large portions of an artist's work, you should always cite their work.
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There are many interpretations to that quote. I believe when he meant "Steal" is to "steal" like small things such as textures, elements, etc. and then combine the other elements you have "stolen" into one drawing.
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I love it a lot of people I've talked to or read journals from look down on references or give a negative notion about references. Thank you for making this
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I'm too afraid to use any references because of the slippery slope called copyright and plagiarism.
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You have to be smart about it buddy! It's about using multiple references and then combining it into one drawing.Β
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Thank you so incredibly much for this! It gives me strength and most important to me is:Β self-assurance! Because most of the time I feel bad when uploading anything finished and the fact that I used any, ANY reference. I think other ppl will think "omg she can't draw on her own so she's using existing stuff". But isnt this making NO sense at all? Hoooooly shit... Thanks again man! I REALLY appreciate it!Β Β
I will save YOUR work as a reference... Heh. β₯
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Just remember, from game artists, to animation artists, they all use references so don't worry
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Very helpful. Thanks for making this.
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This made me giggle. Thank you for the advice.
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Thank you soo much for uploading this! I feel less guilty and feel free to use reference now!!
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"...real things look boring"
Because of that we all live on DA... forever...
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That's why the internet is such a magical place
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This is fantastic. Great way to put things in perspective for everyone. Thanks for sharing!
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THIS!
Thank you for this!
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Thanks for the great advice, i know now how to make my visual library better.
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I could newer explain this in an better way.
I've been trying to teach my friends about reference pictures, how to use them and take inspitarion like I do- tought I'm not perfect and not even half the way to an profesional artist
but still I do my bes to talk about things like these.
I'm gona share this further. <3
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This applies to me so FUCKING HARD.
Β
I've been having a lot of trouble with environments lately and I've known that the lack of a visual library was a large part of it. It's REALLY nice to have to reaffirmation of my suspicions :3
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Yep! Now go build on that library! Go places and explore the world!Β
...or use google images lel
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Going out and exploring the world is for rich privileged people.
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hah yeah i know what you mean. But take every opportunity to explore too!
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you know what? you're right.
Front lawn, HERE I COME!!
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Faving to remind myself. Thanks for this.
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Such a nice tutorial *Β£*
A good mood booster too!
Thanks a bunch
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THIS IS A LOVELY TUTORIAL.
I LIKE IT.
YES.
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I don't think I can hear this enough times. Β As much as I KNOW that I need to use reference, I will never decide to until I am forced xDΒ
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Excellent guide and a great reminder. I hadn't been using much reference for a while even though I have a large library of photos that I've taken. I started a new piece a few days ago based on some of my photos and I'm so much more pleased with how it's coming along than I have been with most of my recent work.
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It's always great to be inspired by your photos. Good job on that man!
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Absolutely agree in every way! It's so hard to get people to realize that not only is it NOT 'taboo' to reference, but that's how the greats got... well GREAT!
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Man, whoever said it was taboo should try drawing an anatomically correct heart without looking at a picture of it
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I agree with you whole heartedly! XD I've got an entire hard drive with nothing but references.... and my phone...and my laptop...and my husband's Β phone...and HIS laptop... Even though I rarely ever use all of them! XD If it inspires me, better to have it than to not!Β
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LOL I have mine references backed up on Dropbox! When I'm in a slump I always open that magical folder
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