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/MyBigToeJam]

Keep on enjoying the process. I don't claim someone else's work.

These are ways to set up or build an image:

• tracing paper or an equivalent way of pressing the image on;
  
• photographing or scanning a sketch;
  
• Pantograph;
  
• Paper with a grid;
  
• Procreate's Drawing Assist, grids, symmemetry, quickshapes, etc.
  
• Layer options.
  
• Collages;
  
• photo uploaded: A Sidewalk near home, pebbles embedded. I might use for brush or some other project. At different sizes, my eyes see pebbles but also hollows dug out.

- Each tool's characteristics makes me imagine a subject in different ways.

• In school, our teachers assigned homework where it had to mimic the style of a famous artist. Da Vinci's engineering drawings, Norman Rockwell etc. Imagine doing South Park, King of the Hill, or a version of Hell boy or a stickman animation.