21-Draw-Illustrators-Guidebook-vol-2-ebook-(2021)

However, there is a big difference between
referencing images and taking credit for
another artist’s work. Please take
care to be sure you are not
copying designs by other
artists when gathering
your references.
Using visual
references
makes apturing
details much
easier.
YOUR MENTAL IMAGE LIBRARY
This library of visual references is easy to grow
and I have a great tip that many new artists
forget: DRAW THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW
HOW TO DRAW.
Don’t know how to draw birds? Dogs?
Women? Vehicles? The solution is simple—
start drawing new things and keep at it until
it sticks. Repetition is the key to success.
There will be times when you really don’t like
these new drawings and they may not be as
strong as your other artwork—yet. Take time
to draw what is new or difficult for you—this
is a surefire way to improve
your skills as an artist. Drawing
something new is also when
your image references really
come into play. Visual references
help you draw cool images you
wouldn’t have thought of and is
a big step forward to building up
your mental library.
When you compile all
your references, that
compilation is called your
vision board. Try to have
one for each big project!
104 21DRAW