Is it cheating?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Elise on January 5, 2011 at 4:07pm

I don't think using a grid is cheating, artists have always used grids for scaling up their sketches, for instance. Grids, like viewfinders, cameras etc., are just another aid to help you make your art. After all, it is how you draw and paint to create the picture that gives it its character and uniqueness.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Liz on January 5, 2011 at 11:02pm

Hello Anne,

 Don't feel guilty about using any aids which help you create the picture you have in mind.  Grids are only one aid. The old masters used them, and they also used projections of images onto surfaces to be painted. Still used by professional artists, there are even expensive machines designed to project images for this purpose! Some even 'trace' work,.....though usually their own drawings / designs, from a rough surface to the one they intend to be the support for the finished art work.

 The only thing to be aware of is not to copy other artist's work in this way, - Or if you do, get their permission, or in the case of an old, long dead master, at least attribute the painting as their work originally.  In some cases it can be good to copy a master, a lot can be learned. 

 In the main though it is generally more satisfying to find your own subjects, make your own compositions, and make your own mistakes mixing colours, but it doesn't really matter how you get the subject onto the paper, or canvas, initially.  Just 'go for it' and make the painting 'yours'.

 Hope this is helpful, :-).

 Best regards,

 Liz

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Damaclese on January 6, 2011 at 2:41am

grids are perficlty fine thers evadence that the masters uesd them inclouding a type of projecter caled a camraobsura how you get your drwaing down on to canvas of paper is your chouc what you do with the imige is the art of it

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kenneth Coon on January 6, 2011 at 6:45am

I use drawings to begin a lot of mine. I also place a piece of paper over my   monitor and draw the photo and then transfer that to my painting medium. I can then paint it. Of course all of these are for my personal use and i don't use copyrigted material. Most of it is flowers.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by June Laidler on January 6, 2011 at 7:24am

I do not think using a grid is cheating. Being 'very' left sided, most of my earlier work tended to be cluttered to the left-hand side of the canvas. I started using a grid and found that after time, centering things when free-hand sketching became easy so I do not use the grid much any more. If you are just starting out use the grid and every now and then sketch without it - you will find, as I did, that after a while your mind's eye developes its own perspective.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Roy on January 6, 2011 at 8:27am

I am fairly sure that all the professionals started by using a grid, and I know that many still do.

 

Many pictures are planned for hours before they are finally painted, and the drawing up of the plan is often compared to various different types of grid to create a pleasing composition. It is a fallacy to think that the great master didn't adhere to various different rules.

 

It might be a grid for a different purpose to what you are thinking about, but it is still a drawing aid. Besides, who is going to know if you use a grid or not?

 

My advice is not to worry about the road and instead focus on the desirability of the destination.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Anne on January 6, 2011 at 7:39pm

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply.  I feel so much better at the idea of using a grid now. If it is good enough for the Old Masters then it is surely good enough for me.

 

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michael B. on January 6, 2011 at 7:59pm

I agree with ALL the comments that are given here.  I look at it like this...you can go the long way, or the fast way to reach the artistic destination, ITS ALL YOUR CHOICE and none of it is wrong. 

Anne Johnson said:

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply.  I feel so much better at the idea of using a grid now. If it is good enough for the Old Masters then it is surely good enough for me.

 

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Stanley on January 16, 2011 at 12:48am

Anne, some of the most famous artists in history have used grids so why are you worrying about it. If you use a can of chicken soup to get your pieces correct then what the hell? No one cares how you did it. They celebrate that you DID do it! I am self taught and have to make this stuff up as I go along, teaching myself new techniques. Its the end result that matters. Stop worrying about it and make it fun.  David Stanley

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Cheryl Makin on May 30, 2011 at 9:34am

Anne, as a new member of this wonderful group I would like to say that in my landscapes, I have always used a grid as it helps to centre what I want to paint, and I haven"t felt guilty doing so as I am not the greatest drawer, in fact I can't draw very well at all and this helps tremendously. Cheryl Makin

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Hans Kalkman on July 10, 2011 at 3:47pm

Nothing wrong with using a grid in my opinion. But I think there can be a danger in it. That is if you get too used to using a grid you do not learn to look well and thourough at your subject and you may get lazy in your drawing. But on the other hand, what's wrong with being a little lazy? Never care about what you should do and how you should do it. If it works for you and you like doing it: it is good, period.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Elaine L. VanWinkle on July 10, 2011 at 6:34pm

No absolutely not it's a well accepted form of transfer and enlargement, I taught it to my students and it is very helpful.  

They even sell canvas with grids already on them. In the world of art supplies there are all kinds of grid papers and perspective papers that one can also use to set up their comps, basically it's then just a matter of transferring it to your surface, little time consuming yes but helps a good deal in placement and as a visual when setting up a comp. When you're done and satisfied you can use something like Saral paper. Definitely not cheating and yes you are being silly..:) said with a hug.

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page