If you’re like me you want to improve as an artist. I’m not looking for shortcuts, tips, and tricks. I'm in this for the long haul.

I’m looking for ways to better understand and use the tools at my disposal.

Starting with the tools inside me. My eyes, my brain. I’ve found the greatest leaps of progress occur when I learn to see more clearly.

If I can see it, I can draw it. I’ve found that if I’m struggling with drawing it’s because I haven’t seen my subject clearly enough.

The solution always reveals itself when I slow down and look more carefully.

For me the most satisfying part of drawing is being able to look at something in front of me and capture it on paper and it makes a pleasing composition.

But I know that for beginning—and even experienced artists, that experience is frustratingly elusive.

As a beginning artist sometimes it’s the simple things that trip us up. Like jumping into a drawing without taking a few careful measurements first.

One Eye Is Better Than Two

Part of the problem is that we are looking at something in the real world with both our eyes.

Our brain merges the two images into a single image (yeah, I know that’s way over-simplifying things).

To see why this is a problem, hold your hand in front of you with your fingers in an interesting position.

See the spaces between some of the fingers? See how some of the fingers are in front of others?

Now, without changing your hand position, close your left eye. Look at those same places again.

Now close the other eye. See how those same shapes change? The spaces between the fingers change shape, disappear, or get larger.

When we’re drawing objects close to us we sometimes forget that each eye sees from a slightly different angle.

One of the goals we have as artists is being able to draw from real life. It’s really satisfying to look around you nearby and draw what you see.

Like drawing your hand. There are so many interesting shapes and it really makes you feel like an artist when you can draw hands accurately.

But you can never get your drawing right if your subject keeps changing.

Luckily there’s an easy solution for beginning artists.

Photo Reference Is Better for Beginners

I recommend beginning artists use photos to draw from.

The most obvious benefit is a printed image flattens the confusing 3D scene that can keep changing because of parallax.

There are other advantages to using photos when you’re a beginner:

1. You can convert your photo to black and white to better see values.

2. With a printed-out photo you can see and measure more accurately.

Is it Cheating?

It makes me sad that some people disparage using reference. They have this idea that using reference is somehow cheating.

What an odd idea. Is it cheating to learn the basics?

When a music teacher explains basics of notation and music theory people don’t say “Oh, that’s cheating.”

I’m sure you’ve encountered some version of the "drawing from reference" debate. I’m reluctant to even call it that because it’s ultimately such a non-issue.

Drawing from reference is just a tool. In time you might rely on it less, but early on its benefit is incalculable.

I hope you don’t let the naysayers get in your way. They’re usually just parroting something they heard from someone else.

There's no room for guilt when you're learning to be an artist.

The proof of the benefit is in the practice.

Your support keeps me going, I couldn't do it without you!