Is Tracing Cheating

WELL IS IT? – My answer has to be a qualified no, and I will get you to why.

THE RULE BOOK – I went to the library this week, and I asked to check out the book “The Rules of Art.” But, guess what? There isn’t one. By definition, art has no rules. Each artist decides if painting from a photo, abstractly, digitally, tracing, or pooping in the middle of a gallery floor (not made up) is art. And the public can decide, each for themselves on their own definition.

WELL, IT MAY BE ART, BUT IS IT CHEATING? – In art school, I was in the illustration department. Everyone took great pride in their drawing skills, and it was considered a sin to use the Lucy Machine, a projector used to trace art. The instructor was clear, you are here to learn to be illustrators, and tracing is a method and the Lucy is a tool for developing illustrations. If you are a professional, you use all the tools at your disposal. You are in art school to learn how to use these tools and how to draw.

WHAT ABOUT FINE ART? There are forms of art, like photorealism where tracing is a necessity. There are some photorealists that grid, or eyeball, but most need a well-defined tracing to get to the highly-refined finish.

WHY IS TRACING LOOKED DOWN UPON? – It is exactly because it can improve and accelerate the drawing and painting process, that it also can become a crutch and stunt an artist’s growth in developing traditional drawing skills.

WHEN IS IT CHEATING? (in my opinion) – An artist isn’t obligated to divulge their secrets, even if a buyer asks. But I have a problem in two areas. One is when an artist intentionally misrepresents their work, like printing on canvas from a manipulated photo to look like a painting and letting buyers think it is hand-painted. Also, when an artist puts out instructive content but hides the beginning of the process when the drawing is traced before painting. If you are going to teach your techniques, it is a disservice to your audience/followers to leave out the crucial first steps, because of stigma or embarrassment. Tracing is a skill, and that part should be taught also.

Thoughts? Please keep it civil.