BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Creativity Is cheating okay?

This week's article is a cheat's guide to creating a portrait for Mother's day.

What do you think of paint-by-numbers, tracing, and other cheating methods of creating artworks? Is it okay to have fun with them? Is it okay to take credit for making something using a template of some sort, or should you confess?

I've heard some artists say that even using a photograph to copy from is cheating, because the photograph gives you a guide to the perspective, depth perception, and tones that you can use to create the artwork. You therefore don't develop and don't use your own artist's eye to interpret a three dimensional scene into the two dimensions needed (or three to three if you're sculpting). The artwork is also less "alive" because a photograph lacks some of the elements that an artist can capture better in their interpretation.

I both agree and disagree. When I was learning (hell, I'm still learning <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />) to draw and paint, I found black and white pictures very useful to identify the tones and shading that I would need. I feel this actually helped to develop my eye, rather than hindering the development. I can now move on to the challenge of interpreting a living scene, rather than using a photograph.

The other consideration, of course, is attempting to paint or draw something that simply won't keep still, like a bird. Some people have the amazing talent of being able to draw from memory - I don't. A photograph captures the moment that would otherwise be forgotten too quickly. And don�t forget someone who might want to paint a portrait of a deceased person.

What do you think?

Paint-by-numbers, tracing, templates, stencils, etc… single choice
	are all cheating! Don’t go near them!
	Don’t take it so seriously – it’s meant to be fun!
Votes accepted starting: 05/04/06 01:24 AM
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Painting or drawing from a photograph is... single choice
	cheating
	good sense
	okay for beginners only
	only okay if you’re trying to capture a fleeting moment and no other way will do
Votes accepted starting: 05/04/06 01:24 AM
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If you create a lovely work of art using paint-by-numbers and you’re proud of it, you should... single choice
	Hang it up in your home and show everyone how artistic you are
	Hang it up in your home and show everyone but confess that you used paint-by-numbers
	Hang it up in your home and show everyone but tell them your nephew did it using paint-by-numbers
	Hang it in the back room where you can see it but don’t show anyone
	Dump it in the charity bin, unsigned
	Burn it, nobody must know
	Prime over the numbers and use the canvas to create a proper work of art
	Paint-by-numbers?! Since when would I be seen dead anywhere near a paint-by-numbers kit?!
Votes accepted starting: 05/04/06 01:24 AM
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My family would know automatically that if I did a painting it would have to be "by numbers". <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I can do the little cartoony faces like I did for my grandmother's Christmas ornaments, and I feel I am creative in putting stuff together - combining colors and such. But I have no real talent when it comes to painting, drawing - although I really wish I did. I would love to be able to express myself on paper in ways other than words.

So for those of us non-professionals, we've gotta have a little help! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Sometimes you just need to do something with your own hands, and these easier methods may seem like cheating to those of great talent, but it's a lifseaver for me!

I thought you were talking about infidelity!!
I saw the thread title, and clicked into the thread, and saw the poll and wondered what the heck you were talking about!

I'm shattered, I really am... oh, for a bit of juicy gossip...!!!

BTW... I did an arts degree.
Cheating is not good.

bad girls, bad!!

LOL Alexandra! Oh I thought I'd catch someone in my little trap Mwhaahhaahaa! Actually, I thought someone might think I was talking about cheating at exams or something like that. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

No matter what age my kids get, if they make me a paint by number piece of art work for Mommy's Day, I wouldn't care because it was from them LOL

Robin Hobb, my new favourite author, equates writing fan fiction to doing a paint-by-numbers artwork. Read her rant here.

I have a Celtic Mandala coloring book. It's the most relaxing thing.... I LOVE to color in it. I'm not creating art from scratch... but I'm sure having a GREAT time!

Colouring in! Now that's something I haven't done in a LONG time... mmm, I think I might need to do something about that...

Elle, I could not believe how relaxing it was! And how FUN! I ended up getting an herbal plant coloring book too, I was just having so much fun LOL.

Professionally speaking, probably wouldn't put one in a "place of honor" in a clients work or living spaces unless they were really into the Retro vibe.

I actually like the 'retro-camp' value of paint-by-numbers. It is part of pop-culture, quick, colorful and therefore is a fun CRAFT, like any other 'kit art" that anyone with the will to make something can be successful with.

As a creativity coach/art instructor/muralist, I would tend to tell my students & clients not to take it seriously, simply enjoy it for what it is and keep up the freehand painting and drawing practice.
BUT to keep this in context - paint-by-number definitely has its place in the Retro-Art/Craft genre and can be a fun addition to living spaces and craft rooms.

I have two neat PBN pieces that my aunt did back in the era of PBN's heyday installed in original funky frames that my granny made for them....they have a fun look and currently reside at the cabin in the mountains.

Keep Creating!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/rolling.gif" alt="" />

Speaking of murals, you just reminded me of sizing and drawing/painting huge items: I was watching a documentary about a young artist the other day, and they showed how she drew an initial sketch in A4 size and then used an overhead projector to enlarge it and project it on the massive canvas she wanted to paint.

Is that cheating? Should she be trying instead to develop her "big" drawing skills? Or is that a legitimate image enlargement technique? What do other artists think?

I use transparencies all the time.....I take my own photos and generate them myself....it saves time AND the client's money.....

All the professional muralists I know, with the exception of the traditional fresco masters, use projectors and transparencies.

Work Smarter, not harder!! <img src="/images/graemlins/rolling.gif" alt="" />

As an artist myself, I think if you do use paint by numbers, templates and such, you shouldn't hide the fact...that's where the cheating comes in. For instance, it drives me crazy when I meet another polymer clay artist who insists they "do not use molds", but I work with this stuff and I definately can tell when something has come from a mold. I don't care if they use molds, but hey, just don't out and out lie about it and say you don't!

Sharon

My view is that with anything that can me created you should automatically assume that some sort of template or model is used at some stage of production.

When you get to a certain level, or honestly, in my personal experience, in most of the creative process, models, prototyping and copying is simply part of the gig. It doesn't denote "cheating", but when you get to the "production studio" stage, it becomes neccessary to use some sort of tool for consistancy. To wit; If you study fine art in Europe or New York or at your local college, you are automatically set with the task of copying the Old Masters/Classics. It builds skills/technique.

Potters use calipers and prototypes, painters use photographs, transparencies, collage, printing or other copying/repetative representative methods and other visual devices to draw-off/establish initial or continue imagery on or in a surface or space, musicians sometimes use musical phrases/sounds they have heard before to springboard into new songs/ambient sounds - sometimes even sampling sounds or phrases, sculptors use armatures and molds and found objects, seamstresses/clothing designers use patterns, even writers use drafts and other writer's work as fodder for the next piece....it is all part of 'legitimate' creating or in the greater concept, Art.

Within the context of this forum thread, "cheating' seems to insinuate that an artist is doing something underhanded or wrong if they don't create something 'from scratch'. (There is nothing new under the sun.)

I am smiling at this idea of "cheating"- at the sheer arrogance of it.

If one uses this 'logic', the art of Andy Warhol, Romare Bearden, Claes Oldenburg, Louise Nevelson, Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp, Alberto Giacometti, thousands of glass artists, thousands of musicians, most modern installation/performance artists, virtually all jewelers, any chef that has ever used another's recipe, even wood artists/craftspeople of any persuasion would fall away from artistic 'legitimacy' because they use found objects, molded pieces, transparencies, use patterns or prototypes or generally use the items at hand to make art.

I realize that this long rant sprang from a simple question about paint by numbers, but it addresses a very real issue about art and what is considered 'real art'.
By definition -
art - [ahrt] -�noun
1. the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

IMHO - it's all legitimate. From the crayon drawing on the fridge to the bowl that holds your morning cereal to Mt. Rushmore. Art just IS.

Some cultures don't even have a word for art. It's that pervasive in their lives. It is like that here....we just have to breathe it in and accept that labels don't negate value.

Keep Creating! <img src="/images/graemlins/rolling.gif" alt="" />

I didn't intend this posting to be a buzz-kill, guys......please continue this thread....it just made me think alot about art and what it means.

If artists should not use photos, then writers should not read.

Jan Goldfield

I do agree with you there, Jan.

But it's interesting you should say that - when I first started making a serious attempt at writing, I was lucky enough to catch myself mimicking Dickens' style because I happened to be reading Oliver Twist at the time. Since I was writing a modern crime story, the Dickensian style stood out immediately. Any other book/author might not have been as obvious to pick up, which is why I say I was lucky I chose to read something so opposite. I made the decision to put my writing career first and not read any fiction for a year while I worked at strengthening my own style and voice. I really think I benefitted from that at the time, and now I can read as much as I want while I'm writing and not have it influence my own work. But believe me, it was hard not reading <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Will cheating give any joy?

Again, I think it depends on your own attitude as an artist, or even just as a person seeking a creative method of relaxation.

If you find great joy in painting from photographs, using paint-by-numbers, using a mould kit to make little clay figures, etc, then that's perfectly fine.

If, however, you feel guilty or feel you're cheating yourself if you trace something instead of free drawing, then you need to be honest with yourself and either not do it and go through the more difficult process of developing your skills - or you need to say to yourself: "this is just for fun, I'm going to trace/use a mould/whatever, because I want to, and I'm going to be honest about it."

I think harm to ourselves comes when we think we are better than we really are and we disappoint ourselves, and then we give up, and instead of working to develop our skills, we look for ways of making our work look better. If you realise why you are doing a certain thing, you need to decide if it really is in your best interests.

Sorry - really long-winded philosophical answer to a straight-forward question <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Great new pic, Elle!!!

<img src="/images/graemlins/queen.gif" alt="" />

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What is felt by the person whose product is copied?

Correct me if I am wrong, but I get the idea that you are talking about plagerism. It is the crime of stealing another person's intellectual/creative property.

In that case, most ethical artists/writers avoid it at all costs.

Well I can tell you what my father-in-law felt when I created a painting from the photograph that he took of a pair of parrots: delight, pride, pleasure, happiness, gratitude, etc. I gave it to them as a gift - so I didn't even ask permission beforehand as it was to be a surprise.

Then, on the other side of the coin, a friend of mine has just had her book plagiarised for the second time - and she's livid.

I do not see this as cheating. Coloring and painting by number is also one of my favorite pastime. I do not have any talent in drawing so coloring is me in a sense drawing. I also color without any number. Between the two I prefer by number. Still even if I knew how to draw and paint I would not call coloring and painting by number cheating.