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Originally Posted by Michael Georges
The majority trace the image, or project the image, or have the image printed on the canvas itself...
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I was kind of shocked when I read this comment. I certainly hope it is not true. I particularly feel strongly that no painter with integrity would present a client with a touched up photograph printed on canvas and call it a work of art.
I first learned to draw heads on 8"x11" typing paper and my reference was usually a tiny school photograph, usually no bigger than 1"x2" or so. I think it was a good start, as I really learned to see and duplicate the shapes. No tracing involved because of the size differential.
With regard to saving time, I would think that just drawing the subject would be much quicker than setting up projectors or, heaven forbid, having a photograph printed on canvas! Painting is a process of corrections and whatever you put up initially will need fixing. Trying to color within the lines of a perfect tracing will not make a wonderful portrait. This subject reminds me of that book by David Hockney,
Secret Knowledge: Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters, wherein he could not believe that the old masters could draw freehand just because he couldn't do so.
Marvin is brilliant at coming up with the best way of doing things, and having the model right there, especially for color information, and a snapshot as well (to check where you are going wrong when the model is on break) is very efficient.