u/MidniteBlue888

Today, across artistic Reddit, I've seen no less than at least four posts from different people asking if drawing from reference, tracing, etc. is "cheating". I don't know why the art insecurity is hitting so hard today, but just to clarify:

No. It isn't.

The only way you will "get in trouble" is if you copy someone's art, then claim it as your own. That can get you sued by the original artist or the owner of whatever the IP is. However, no, just doing a rough sketch of something you see online or out in the world is not "cheating". Artists have been learning like that for centuries. That's why when you take a sketch class, there are bowls of fruit and nude models and the like. Sometimes you'll see someone at the park with a sketchbook. That is also legit.

You are not being graded, there is no exam, and the Art Cabal is not coming for you. If you are that worried, look into the legality for your area. However, also be aware that Disney is not going to sue a teenager because they are sketching Mickey in their lined notebook. <3

That's all I had to say. Everyone just calm down, use whatever method works best for you to learn how to draw, and stop worrying so much. (Yes, you will get different opinions from others, but that's all they are: Opinions. Not legal advice, unless you're actually consulting with a real lawyer.)

Happy art making, all!

Today, across artistic Reddit, I've seen no less than at least four posts from different people asking if drawing from reference, tracing, etc. is "cheating". I don't know why the art insecurity is hitting so hard today, but just to clarify:

No. It isn't.

The only way you will "get in trouble" is if you copy someone's art, then claim it as your own. That can get you sued by the original artist or the owner of whatever the IP is. However, no, just doing a rough sketch of something you see online or out in the world is not "cheating". Artists have been learning like that for centuries. That's why when you take a sketch class, there are bowls of fruit and nude models and the like. Sometimes you'll see someone at the park with a sketchbook. That is also legit.

You are not being graded, there is no exam, and the Art Cabal is not coming for you. If you are that worried, look into the legality for your area. However, also be aware that Disney is not going to sue a teenager because they are sketching Mickey in their lined notebook. <3

That's all I had to say. Everyone just calm down, use whatever method works best for you to learn how to draw, and stop worrying so much. (Yes, you will get different opinions from others, but that's all they are: Opinions. Not legal advice, unless you're actually consulting with a real lawyer.)

Happy art making, all!

Update: If you are concerned, say you drew from reference. You can say you found it in Google or Pinterest or whatever.

If the photographer finds you and asks for you to put up more details, do it. If they message and say they are uncomfortable with you pisting a drawing of a photo of their grandma's couch from 1975, then take it offline. That's it. That's all you have to do.

Don't blatantly steal people's art, and claim it's yours. I. E., don't repaint The Scream exactly, then say you have never heard of Edvard Munch, and that this is your original painting idea you came up with on the fly. The problem is with people trying to pirate and rip off other artists financially, not folks who are filling sketchbooks and online galleries with sketches to learn.

And if you have any doubts, just look up copyright law for your local government. It will help to quell a lot of anxiety. 🙂

Another pondering from the peanut gallery!

Concerning honey/sweetener jar spells, I often see it mentioned here that the jar should be filled to the brim. However, does the actual size of the jar matter? If I use a jelly jar that's four ounces, and fill it up, will it work as well as, say, a jar that can hold a quart? Or will the quart size work better because it holds more? Or is it just up to the witch to decide?

If you use some of that same sweetener in food or drink you're preparing for the target (coffee, cookies, whatever), does that help or hinder the cause? Or does it do nothing? (I know, it's a silly "what if?", but it just popped in my head. lol )

Just curious about some of the odder aspects of these spells, since I see them mentioned so often here.

I keep trying to find videos on this on Youtube, but I can't find what I'm looking for.

I want to know how to find meaning in (purposeful) mixed media, what the point of it is over using just one medium, what I should get out of it both in viewing and making it, what the difference is between it and collage, the best way to mix mediums, etc.

I have found some vids on excellent mixed media artists that create very purposeful and meaningful things....and then I've seen vids that are more "bored housewife throwing up arts and crafts on paper" type things.

I want to use a mix of mediums to make things that mean something. Random art has the ts place, but I don't want randomness just to quell boredom to be my goal. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks.

(I'd *love* to go back to college for art school, but it is way too expensive. We just collectively as a family paid off my student loans from the late 90s and 2000s a few years ago, and I'd rather not have that kind of debt hanging over my head anymore.)

I just want to make things that are something, that *mean* something. I hope that makes sense.

I keep trying to find videos on this on Youtube, but I can't find what I'm looking for.

I want to know how to find meaning in (purposeful) mixed media, what the point of it is over using just one medium, what I should get out of it both in viewing and making it, what the difference is between it and collage, the best way to mix mediums, etc.

I have found some vids on excellent mixed media artists that create very purposeful and meaningful things....and then I've seen vids that are more "bored housewife throwing up arts and crafts on paper" type things.

I want to use a mix of mediums to make things that mean something. Random art has the ts place, but I don't want randomness just to quell boredom to be my goal. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks.

(I'd *love* to go back to college for art school, but it is way too expensive. We just collectively as a family paid off my student loans from the late 90s and 2000s a few years ago, and I'd rather not have that kind of debt hanging over my head anymore.)

I just want to make things that are something, that *mean* something. I hope that makes sense.

I don't know what kind of art to pursue, or what medium to focus on. I thought about mixed media, but I don't know in what context.

I don't want yo just keep buying art stuff without fully using it. Right now I have:

- Alcohol markers

- Acrylic markers

- Acrylic paint

- Watercolors

- Paper-friendly markers

- Oil pastels

- Colored pencils

- Mechanical drawing pencils

- Traditional drawing pencils

- Special drawing pads and papers

- Assorted other supplies

I am having a hard time zoning in and gocusing on one medium, or even style of art. Do I sketch? Paint? Make a collage? Do I focus on how to draw the human body? Manga and anime? Digital? Do I just do stuff to express my current condition, feelings, and life? Do I work towards being able to sell stuff, or just for the fun of art? Do I draw and create stuff related to my OCs? Or do I do fan art? Or create from reality?

These questions keep me from doing anything sometimes. If I choose one path, I feel another will close, and here I will be sitting on a mountain of unused supplies, because I can't stick any landings.

It should be noted that I'm not new to art really, or very young. Approaching middle age, and wanting to be artistic, but I want it to be worth it. I don't want to make useless, meaningless things ....but I don't know what to focus on improving. There is nothing wrong with that, it just isn't the direction I want to go.

Any help, advice, or encouragement would be helpful. Thanks for reading.

I want to get more into mixed media. What is the best way to help my Pupe (water based) and Waimoku acrylics with my Honolulu and Honolulu B's? (Obvi all from Ohuhu.)

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I'd also love to incorporate colored pencils, fine liners, and gel pens.

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If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, that would be great! Even links to videos on this would be helpful! Thanks!

How do you keep track of the spells you've cast, and how do you know when it's the spell you cast that came true, or just a random kindness from the universe? (Talking about small things like finding $20 in the pocket of a pair of pants you haven't worn in two years, and you remade your money bowl a few days ago. That kind of thing.)

Is it possible to get replacement packaging for the 8-count of fine liner pens?

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I threw away the little clear pouch and regret it now. I just need the pouch, not the pens.

I watch a lot of tutorials on YouTube. Something I have noticed is that a lot of professional artists layer tons and tons of different colors for faces. I'm not sure I exactly understand why. To me, it gives it a weird oversaturated look. It's especially confusing when they have skin tone sets right there, and aren't trying to get a particular color really.

Is it just because they were sponsored and are trying to sell markers or am I missing something somewhere? Could someone explain this to me? Thanks!

If I were to write a short story or book that was basically anti-romantacy, what kinds of themes, characters, plotlines, etc. would you expect to see? Would it be hyper-violent? Slightly dystopian? Maybe horror of some kind?

I'm open to multiple ideas!