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Miles-Johnston β Workshop demo - using reference effectively
Published: 2013-11-20 20:08:45 +0000 UTC; Views: 48379; Favourites: 1165; Downloads: 389
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Description
Thanks for the kind words on the Neuromancer drawing. I run a weekly digital sketching workshop at atelier stockholm, and tonight I wanted to give a little demo on using references effectively. I was trying to demonstrate what you should look for in a reference and the importance of not directly copying but instead 'reffering to' the picture. If you train yourself to be really mindful of what you are seeing all the time, you can try painting things from imagination based on something you saw that very day. Anyway thought the result was entertaining, 2 hour's total.Nothing particularly mean spirited meant to be implied by the demo either, just a way of radically altering the subject
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Comments: 98
Did you freehand that ?Β
It's so weird.
I don't think that I could do that freehand.
I don't think my brains would let me.
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I'm in awe of your talent and your use of resoures. Please accept my sincere admiration.
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O_O
omg...
that's truly effective use of reference....
i can see the eyes and eyebrows...the mouth...wow, that's seriously impressive! O_O
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When I used to draw I did this instinctively. For some reason I never figured out that was what "referencing" was about because I always saw referencing refering (yeah) to general copying.
Though I guess it only makes sense to call this reference.
I should draw again.
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I've met some brilliant people in my years, and have been gobsmacked by how they got "from h'yar to thar" (particularly when I hadn't even realized where "thar" was).Β Β I've been amazed by legal arguments, scratch cooking, policy formulation, and carpentry.Β Β I'll never be an artist (nor a chef or master carpenter), but I now have a much better appreciation of how a true artist uses a reference, how he gets from h'yar to thar.Β (She has the same expression, eyes, nose, mouth.Β Especially the eyes.Β She could be his sister, or his mother back in the day.)Β Β Thank you.
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This is really great. I love how clearly you used some elements to make your image better, without coping it faithfully.
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This is really something I wish to be able to do. The subtlety with which you've borrowed from the photo is wonderful. I don't really feel confident enough to draw like this. I have the basic/intermediate drawing skills, but even so, they sometimes come and go... Thanks for posting this. It's an amazing example.
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Its like doing the reverse process of a caricature, good process.
Separating the shaft from the grain works not only in arts.
Thanks for the description.
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Ahh often when you see people using a reference picture they kind of copy the pose, but they somehow manage to make the lightning very different. You can really see how you look at the image and your perfect eye for tones in how you translated that picture. Really great work! And a perfect example.
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This is a reminder that we're all basically the same, despite small differences. Agree with others, he has beautiful features, yet his body mass would detract from this, whereas the woman looks other-worldly beautiful, with only minor differences. Beautiful.Β
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I totally agree with you. I just thought it was a drastic change, but when you look closely, you do see that he has the exact same features
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That is so cool! Great idea! 
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Beautiful! your absolutely right, and this is a perfect example. Thanks for sharing
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An astounding piece of art with a lot of meaning! Β Besides the main goal of being mindful of details and opening oneself up to creative license, it also distracts one from the grotesque and to the beautiful features of the reference himself. Β This picture has changed how I view people, possibly forever. Β Now I want to look for that beauty in other areas that goes so often overlooked.
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graygrounder.deviantart.com/arβ¦
I tried this experiment out, I don't know if it's successful
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Nice one! Cool to see other people try it out
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brilliant, thank you for this, *light bulbs going off*...
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It makes me disheartened that so many comments are about how gross or disturbing the model is. (There is nothing inherently gross or disturbing about fat people that mindset is getting in the way of their personal and professional growth/ If the reference works then use it. ) The economy of using this as reference is something I'd never thought of. It's a good lesson and very valuable for aspiring professionals- not everyone has access to perfect models and even then it's your job as an artist to interpret and create not to copy. Thanks this was cool!
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Truth be told, this is a little unsettling to look at (for me- obvious reasons). But I had to favourite it. You are spot on with your lesson, and it reminds me to be mindful of everything I see, not just what I like (feel like) looking at. It is a stark representation of having missed out on a great deal of potential imagination.
This is a stunning use of reference, and (an immediately apparent) skillful artwork. I thank you for sharing it with us.
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Absolutely gorgeous work! Something special! Thank youΒ Β
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wow! blows my mind! the endless possibilities ....
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Such an amazing artwork!
I hope that some day i will draw as good as you - even though i doubt itΒ Β
Though thanks for this advice, it's very helpful!
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This is probably the most inspiring thing I've seen on DA in a month.
Awesome demo!
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this has always been my problem with stock resources! you don't have to copy what is given to work with, but use it as A REFERENCE! not just a traceable pic.
thanks for getting the point across a little better than I could my friend.
also, brilliant work. so lifelike and beautiful.
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What an excellent demonstration! It probably sounds a little dozy but as a beginning artist I wouldn't have thought of using references in such a creative way. I'll definitely try to be more aware and less literal in my observation. Most inspirational, thank you!
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You took the words right out of my mouth.
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