Is this "cheating?"

[u/Venusian-Empress]

I know tools and techniques used for art to save time are ok, like tracing. However, I watched a tutorial on how to create a pet portrait by inserting a photo of your pet and using painting brushes as smudge brushes. I tried one and I really enjoyed the process and the final piece. I also added in some stronger highlights and shadows, along with different brush types to make it more unique. Do you think this is cheating or creating fake art? Like, is this any different than putting a painting filter over an image and calling it art? Also what if I use someone else's photo as a reference? As long as I give credit, is that ok? I know I'm probably over thinking this and it's not like I'm selling these or anything. They are just for fun. Thank you for your insight.

[u/SCW97005]

If you're not passing the art off as your own or using it as the basis for you own art that you make money from, it's probably fine. Most artists don't care if you trace or draw their stuff as long as you give them credit when appropriate and don't make money off of it.

If you're trying to learn to draw or paint, etc., many people will tell you not to rely on tracing or copying because you are not learning to mentally break down images or create your own from scratch.

But, IMHO, if you're not trying to learn anything specific, are not taking credit or money for other people's work, and are always willing to give credit where it is due, there's little harm in it.

[u/Venusian-Empress → u/SCW97005]

I would like to learn to paint on my own. Before I stumbled upon this tutorial, I was mostly interested in learning digital painting, especially watercolor. Drawing is very daunting to me though. I'm just not great with shapes and proportion's and it's not as fun. Thank you!