Do Artists Who Draw Great Start Off Copying?
Do Artists Who Draw Great Start Off Copying?
Do artists who draw great works of art begin their journey by copying the works of others? This practice is widely acknowledged as a valuable learning tool and helps artists develop fundamental skills, understand different techniques, and learn about composition, shading, and proportions. Whether it's master studies, life drawing, or simple drawing exercises, copying can take many forms. However, artists often evolve to create their own unique style and voice over time.
The Value of Copying in Artistic Development
Yes, many artists start their journey by copying the works of others. This practice can help them develop fundamental skills and understand different techniques. By replicating the styles of established artists, beginners can gain insight into the elements that make a piece of art effective.
Copying can take various forms, such as:
While copying can be a valuable learning tool, artists eventually develop their own style and voice as they gain confidence and experience. Over time, they may blend techniques learned from others with their unique perspectives and creativity.
Personal Insights: Studying Through Copying
Process-oriented individuals like myself enjoy studying other artists by drawing their works with an observational drawing technique. It’s a great way to understand their thought process and practice sketching or understand tonal value. Recently, I did a quick timelapse demonstration to study tonal value through the Portrait of Giulia Lama by Giovanni Battista Piazzetta. Although I didn’t finish the entire piece, I gained a better understanding of Baroque paintings and their dominant shadows.
However, the path to becoming an artist can vary depending on the individual. The term artist is very broad. For example, an illustrator or character designer might find their style simply through imagination. But they still practice by copying, either to study color, skin tone, and color schemes or perhaps figurative gesture/movement, depending on the person.
Comparing Artistic Styles
Talking about copying, even with different art disciplines, you can observe similarities in how artists portray tragedy. For instance, Andrei Tarkovsky and Ilya Repin both portray tragedy in their works, albeit with different techniques and styles. This highlights the importance of learning and copying from various sources while developing a distinctive artistic identity.
For further discussions on artistic development, please visit my Quora Profile where I delve deeper into the evolution and mastery of different art forms. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, understanding the value of copying can be a valuable step in your journey towards becoming a great artist.