The Truth About Tracing

What do Andy Warhol, Johannes Vermeer, and Norman Rockwell have in common?

If you’re familiar with their artwork, you’re probably thinking, “Um, not much…” 😂

Believe it or not, these master artists all used forms of technology to trace or project their drawings before starting their painting process.

Surprising, right?

I often hear from students who feel like tracing is some kind of cheating and they can’t consider themselves “real artists” if they trace.

If you’ve been feeling that way, I’m here to let you know that tracing is totally fine!

The truth is, drawing and painting are two different skills. Sure, they both inform each other, and if you’re improving in one you’re likely improving in the other, but they are distinct.

Figuring out how to draw so that your drawing is recognizable and looks the way you envisioned it is a very different skill from applying layers of paint and mixing colors and working on brush techniques.

Tracing means that you can practice painting techniques without the pressure of getting the drawing perfect.

Now, I’d be careful when it comes to tracing or copying other people’s work or drawings.

Tracing someone else's original artwork without permission is a definite no-go.

But tracing from your own photos, using transfer paper for your own drawings, or working from copyright-free reference materials? Absolutely fine!

So, if you’ve been feeling conflicted, I’m happy to give you a permission slip to trace your heart out.

It’ll take away one common barrier to entry that prevents people from jumping into painting and having fun creating.

No, really, I made you a permission slip! You can click here to print it out.

When you're feeling more confident in your painting skills and curious about drawing your own compositions, go ahead and grab a pencil and start sketching, but just know that you can still call yourself a real artist even if you’re tracing.

You’ll be working on developing other artistic muscles, and as you build your confidence, drawing your own compositions will feel less complicated.

As my members move through the lessons in The Garden Studio, I touch on all different aspects of this journey, from providing traceable images to teaching basic drawing skills to showing how you can create your own unique compositions.

Want to get started today with a free traceable?

Download this free Indian Paintbrush traceable and trace it to your heart's content! It even comes with a free video lesson so you can follow along and paint it in!