Tracing over 3d renders.

[denironaut]

Is it wrong to create basic 3d renders then trace over them to ensure all the angles and perspective are correct? I've been using 3d software for many years now but want to make the transition into vectors, I cant help feeling like I'm cheating a bit. Fantastic software, keep it up!

[CartoonMike]

IMHO, if you're using basic primitives (cube, sphere, cylinder, cone, etc) or shapes you made yourself  then it's just using tools at your command to create references that you're using for your art, vector or otherwise. If you're using somebody else's renders, (w/o permission) then it's theft ( as in Roy Litchenstien). "Cheats" are used in so many disciplines of art (Animation, Comics, etc) usually they are used to quicken the process to finish the work that's under deadline. If you know the principles of perspective and such, then you're just using a shortcut to finish the work, not to avoid learning the "hard stuff." 

 

For one of my comics, I used photos of the town I live in as reference. Did I make use of the perspective and such in each picture. You bet your assets I did. :) If I had googled for images, and used them in that way, then that would be cheating as I would be using somebody else's work for my benefit. 

 

The "old masters" used to use panes of glass, positioned in a fixed holder and then traced a scene on it using (iirc) grease pencils  to get perspective right. 

 

This is a very personal thing, and opinions can vary all over the place. I feel that if you used the 3D app to create your own renders, then use that render as a tracing reference in your work, then it's totally cool. 

 

I do pretty much what you do when drawing my comics, I use the 3D render to get the vanishing points right in a pixel/raster app that has perspective rulers. Big time saver, as I can then adjust the perspective as I've put in the time and effort to understand the principles. Same with using a Mannequin for figure drawing, esp in the "harder" poses. I don't have access to living models and sometimes I just can't photograph myself so I use the mannequin to jumpstart the drawing. Is it a cheat? Not really, as I've logged in many weeks and weeks of life drawing and study of anatomy. Sometimes we all need a bit of help and we have to use the tools at our disposal.

 

To coin a cliché, amateur artists cheat, professional artist use shortcuts. ;)

[diane555]

I don't see anything wrong with that. I've been drawing over 40 years and I use references all the time. I think most of us do :)

I should add that I use my own references. 

[ronniemcbride]

using a 3d application to "build" your reference image is not cheating. Sure it would be better if you spent the time building your perspective my hand it might even make you a better artist. It just a tool, there nothing wrong with using a tool. I could draw with my fingers but I do better with a pencil ;)

 

As long as your not taking someone elses work and claiming it as your own.

 

-R

 

Steal like an artist

[CartoonMike]

Submitted without comment: http://boingboing.net/2014/11/07/lichtensteins-theft-and-the.html

[denironaut]

Well thanks for the opinions guys, I've spent many years learning to model correctly in 3d and would like to utilise those skills in 2d, I always want to become a better artist though so thats where the conflict lies.

 

I think I'll try to learn some traditional 2d techniques and then see what transpires..

 

Thank you.

[ronniemcbride]

Well thanks for the opinions guys, I've spent many years learning to model correctly in 3d and would like to utilise those skills in 2d, I always want to become a better artist though so thats where the conflict lies.

 

I think I'll try to learn some traditional 2d techniques and then see what transpires..

 

Thank you.

 

Ohh we understand conflict! Your not an artist if you don't struggle to some degree. 

 

Well I am not sure what your into but I gonna take a guess that you like to do more hard surface stuff it thatthe case may I suggest this book

 

Cheers and good luck!

[denironaut]

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll check it out.