Should Beginners Draw From Photos or Imagination

Does it make any difference if we draw from imagination or from photos when we start learning to draw? Is one more helpful than the other? Is it the same process? Find the answers to all these questions and increase your understanding of what the drawing process actually is - a huge advantage to everyone who is learning to draw.
#artteachertips #drawing #sketch #artteacher #drawingtechniques #drawingvideo #stephentraversart

[@LaVonneBelton]

You did a good job breaking down this subject. It makes perfect sense and I find it encouraging. Thank you so much!

[@stephentraversart]

You are so welcome!

[@Steviepinhead]

I completely agree with your approach as articulated here. I would only add that this is the exact same advice as has been given by various famous comic book artists over the years. "Don't try to invent the elephant! Make use of references: yes, you may need to adapt the perspectives and angles, the lighting and shadows. But at least you're starting with a 'real' elephant...!"
Of course, in the old pre-internet days, this meant that artists would have to clip photos from magazines, put them into folders, and file them into cabinets, just like the ones Stephen uses as metaphors for our artistic memories.

[@stephentraversart]

And in the olden days we had to learn to remember thiNgs as well 🤣. Thanks Stevie.

[@anadarch7663]

Thanks for your balanced approach 🎉

[@stephentraversart]

Hope it was helpful 😀

[@djr3386]

Thank you for your advice and playlists. They are very helpful.
Request you to kindly prepare a playlist for drawing backgrounds (nature, room, sci-fi) from different angles (Panoramic & close up) behind a character. Thanks.

[@stephentraversart]

I’m afraid this is not something I have experience in. 😔

[@djr3386]

​@@stephentraversart Thank you for responding. You are my art teacher nonetheless.
Right now I am tackling drawing a "pile of twigs and sticks on the ground" and "a heap of autumn leaves on the ground" .
Thank you for the art lessons which you prepare for us. Take care.

[@buyaport]

Tip: Use black and white photographs (infrared if you can). -- Funny: Many photographers say "I cannot draw", but I have never heard people who draw say "I cannot photograph." Result: They use bad snapshots, often taken with the distorting wide angle lens of their smartphone. If you want to use a photograph for your drawing, consider how you would draw the scene, what makes it interesting, what is the best angle of view? Preferably you should use a "normal" focal length (ca. 45 mm) or longer.

[@stephentraversart]

Good point. The photo determines a lot about composition, lighting etc. it requires as much creativity, skill and thinking as our marks on paper. Which is why photos are copyrighted. We should only use the photos of others with permission. 😀