The only dissatisfied customers I have ever had are those who wanted me to create a picture from something inside their heads. I have learned (the hard way, of course!) that if I can’t see it, I can’t draw it. This means I have turned down jobs where no photo exists, because of my track record of not being able to read minds.
Likewise, when I am drawing a portrait, a good clear photo is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL, unless it doesn’t matter if a likeness is captured. How did artists capture likenesses in “the olden days”? There were certainly fewer artists around, because much depended on pure raw talent and years of dedicated apprenticeships.
In the time in which we now live, there are tools galore to help us draw accurately. Cameras are the premier instrument for gathering visual information, and when Norman Rockwell began using one, he was accused of “cheating” by fellow artists. If you follow pencil artists or cowboy art, you may be aware of Robert Shufelt, aka Shoofly. In an interview of him, he was asked if he projected his images. His answer (my paraphrase) was, “If you had to dig a swimming pool and were given a spoon and a backhoe, which tool would you choose?” He no longer speaks of projecting, and frankly, no matter what method he uses, his work is phenomenal! http://www.judithhalegallery.com/featured_artists/artist_shoofly.html This is where you can see his work – ’twill leave you in shock and awe!
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