Artists who use reference are cheaters

thanks for this note! very interesting and true

Thank you so much for all these informative insights, Noah I really think they are helpful

I'm using reference to paint a face right now; this is a great reminder that I'm on the right track! I like the image you opened with, showing how you don't slavishly copy reference (like, getting every beard hair), that's something I fell into the habit of and need to push myself out of.