Artist - Part 17 - The Big Lie... Painting from Photographs

This is a blurb I’ve tried to write many times but often give up and delete it near the end.

I started drawing by coping photos when I was in high school, that lead to drawing from life soon after. I still do the odd commission from a photo now and then. But nothing beats the thrill of drawing from life.
(Self Portrait of Albrecht Durer, the great draughtsman)

I always tell people that the thing I learnt at Art School was how to draw from life. There were some amazing draughtsman, teachers and students. Mostly better then me!

This is where the problem comes in… some artists say “they use photos as a tool”?!?!?!!? hmmm…, but they never learn how to draw from life. Isn’t drawing skill the most important skill an artist can have? I see a lot of photorealist artist coping from photos, but it’s used as a “crutch”, rather than a tool.

Where does it stop? Using a grid to double the size of a simple photo? Using an opaque projector to trace the image?

I’ve also worked as a graphic designer for many years and used photoshop as a primary tool and the question ping pongs in my head….why don’t these artists take their photos, edit them in a computer, and blow them up on a glacee printer?

Just don’t tell me photography is a tool, when it’s being used to cover up the fact your drawing skills aren’t up to snuff.

The most important thing is the direct connection the artist has with the live subject, there is no machine between him and his canvas, no lens distortion, no computer colour limitations, and this is where the artist makes his mark on his/her work.