[kantide]

Maybe these are stupid questions, but it never hurts to ask.

1) Do you take your own photos or find them on the web?

2) Do you trace over the photo or open a new image and copy it freehand?

3) Do you use the eyedropper tool or try to get the right colors by eyeing it?

[Mr. T]

1) doesn't matter. it's good if you can see the object in person. i sometimes go to the old factory and sketch pipes and stuff.

2) tracing... that's a tough subject. i don't like tracing, although some people say it's a good way to learn in the beginning. you can make the final pic exactly the same as the reference, and on the other hand, you can make it totally different. the reference is useful to see texture, the way the light acts, etc.

3) hm. second.

[Derek]

1) Do you take your own photos or find them on the web?

Take your own as often as possible, and from different angles. You may know which angle you want to work from, but you have to do a few drawings of an object, person, etc to get confident about drawing it. Three usually does it.

2) Do you trace over the photo or open a new image and copy it freehand?

Neither... I draw it and scan usually. Though from time to time I'll jump right in and draw in P-shop; usually a custom paintbrush, pure black but set to about 30% opacity. But I always draw it myself, no way better to improve your skills. Plus, photos come with tons of errors, so you're making corrections as you go.

3) Do you use the eyedropper tool or try to get the right colors by eyeing it?

Eyeing it... using the eyedropper is fine if you're given a strict set of character or environment or material guidelines. But the eyedropper won't give you the transparency, translucency, warmth, depth, value or saturation you are looking for. It samples a very small area, and never gives you what you think you're going to get. Since you'd end up having to adjust the color anyway, why not get better at working with your own decisions about the color from the start?

[kantide]

Thanks guys, that helps a lot. I just don't want to fall into using bad habits that won't help me improve any faster. Thanks again.

[Derek]

Yer welcome...
Hope you always keep the desire not to develop bad habits. In this, it's tricky!
Why? Because you can pretty succesfully argue that almost any drawing will improve your skill. At the same time, you have to check your progress to put a quick end to any laziness or 'bad habits' that may develop and continually be enforced until you know better.
Good luck steering a true course...