ive been trying to get into drawing but my self confidence with it is really low ^^ is it wrong to use references? i never see other people use them in time lapses and stuff. and another question, is it okay to trace things like hands if i try for hours and still am not happy with the results? sorry if this sounds a bit negative, im mostly stuck on the references part, like is it bad if most stuff from a drawing i did is referenced from different things? like using a pose and trying to do my drawing the same, and looking up how to draw certain types of clothes for the folds and stuff. any advice is helpful, sorry if this is a bit negative :,))
#are references bad?
livid token
manic hare
Not at all! Here's a fun fact: most professional artists use references! You won't see them in timelapses as they cut it out hehe.
But using references is a great way to learn, as long as you're not tracing the outline or passing it off as your own. If you break the reference down into shapes and forms and then reproduce them on the side, you'll actually learn anatomy. The more you do it, the better you'll get at understanding what you draw and you'll even be able to draw it without a reference!
What you wish to do is actually how a ton of art is made. An artist learns to draw through tracing, finds multiple references and uses them as his inspiration. Don't worry about it and use them as you wish! Not using references is actually going to hold your art back.
livid token
Not at all! Here's a fun fact: most professional artists use references! You won...
okay thank u !! 
its always something that worries me because not a lot of people talk about it, it feels like a crime 💔 but thank u for the advice, im trying to get better at anatomy :))
manic hare
Folks don't talk about it, but rest assured they're using them! Please don't worry at all!
hot lagoon
There is no right or wrong way to make art. There are traditional ways to learn that do work for some people but whatever your path is to making finished art it is just as legitimate as any other. Feel free to use reference, trace images , use tools. The finished art is what matters, not the process. That being said, you should take time to do the traditional learning process as well, there are benefits to it but they are not requirements. Most importantly though you just need to keep putting in the hours. Thats really what makes us capable
wispy barn
exactly what corny says. youre only doing art WRONG if youre not having fun. there is no bad way of doing art
civic bolt
I don't think so. Everything is a reference, if you look at it that way. Even what's in front of you.