Painters Online Logo

Login/register

Studio

Is copying creative?

Welcome to the forum.

Here you can discuss all things art with like-minded artists, join regular painting challenges, ask questions, buy and sell art materials and much more.

Make sure you sign in or register to join the discussions.

Hang on Studio Wall
Showing page 2 of 2
Author
Message

Peter Davison

  • Forum Expert
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 533
Posted
Once upon a time in a land far away I used to use photographs as my prime source of reference and, when I first started painting, used to try and copy the photograph. Now painfully aware of the technical deficiencies of photography, particularly my own amateur efforts with a compact digital camera, I use photographs only to supplement plein air sketches, or even to correct my imagination! But it is each to their own, both preference and circumstance might mean that photographs get greater use by some and that is entirely their decision. Painting would be a boring pastime if we all did the same thing. One of the pleasures of the gallery is seeing the different approaches and methods of the contributors. Long may that continue.
michael

Michael Edwards

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 3863
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 1556
Posted
I need to correct my comments above. One area where I do tend to actually use a photograph to paint from rather than using it purely as a reference source is when it comes to commissions. I receive quite a few of my commissions over the net and am asked to paint from a photograph provided; as a commission I have to be fairly accurate in the presentation and artistic licence has to be curbed somewhat. I have just completed one of these which I'll now post in the gallery.

Edited
by MichaelEdwards

michael

Michael Edwards

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 3863
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 1556
Posted
In case you are interested I have just posted it at http://www.painters-online.co.uk/gallery/art-view,picture_189220
our Lady2

Jim Morris

  • Respected User
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 667
Posted
Just to add another comment: Do we ever really paint per se from pictures/photographs with perfect reproduction in mind, or do we just want to give our own interpretation of the subject/topic/view or whatever? If the former, why bother, just take a photograph. If the latter, they'll be as different as chalk and cheese depending on the style of the painter/artist and thus creative and worthwhile. I personally never want the photograph type without it being my version and not any ever brick, tree or cloud work. The finished product is the work of the painter, not the photographer and thus a totally different kettle of conkers. You could line ten photographers up to take a picture of a set view and the results would be pretty similar in almost all respects. You could not do that with ten artists painting their impressions of the same. Much the same will apply using a reference photo, the painted/drawn versions will be miles apart. Just a point. . (-:

Phil Kendall

  • Forum Member +
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 88
Posted
I just make art in my studio...my days of sitting out in the harsh world are over. I just paint what I like using my extensive 15, 000 photo library for inspiration purposes only.
Showing page 2 of 2