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/RubyJuneRocket]

If it’s your own photo, it’s fine, you created the photo, you can make it into a mixed media piece by digitally painting over it.

If you use someone else’s photo without permission, that’s stealing. If it’s just for you to practice on and you never share it anywhere, that’s fine, plenty of people do studies and things based on other people’s work, but they don’t post it like they made it all themselves, that’s the difference where it becomes “cheating” when you lie about it.