Thoughts on artographs and tracing for illustration?

[olcvisual]

At school the associate dean and some faculty members want to eliminate artographs and focus on freehand drawing. I agree about the emphasis on freehand skills but disagree about the artograph which increased my confidence in trying freehand projects. Thoughts? If you're a pro illustrator and use artographs please post.

[uncle carbunkle]

whilst i'm not against using illustrator to recreate images, the ability to draw, (whether with photographic accuracy or the abstraction of your choice), is a skill that seems to be forgotten by a lot of people these days.

clear your mind and go for it. don't think about why it sucks/is good or whatever. just do the task that is given to you to the best of your ability. it can't hurt, and you've already started to learn other skills...

personally, i think you may have learned the 'wrong way 'round', so this training will be very important and you should soak up as much as you can. i dont' say this because i think you lack skill or anything, i just know how important a good foundation is.

besides, what happens when the lizard people come to reclaim earth and knock out our electrical grids? you'll feel awfully silly trying to make your revolutionary posters in illustrator then, my friend...

:)

::Don't call me Foreman, for I am your Boss::

[DesignVHL]

Yes, I agree. I never draw as much as I used to. And when that happens, you tend to 'lose' certain skills. I definitely believe there is a time and place (for whatever project) to use something as a reference because it still takes skills to make it look how you want it to. Adding your own creative touches and such. So while I think it shouldn't be banned from use, if that's what your school wants, embrace it! You might even want to take some drawing classes such as figure drawing. You would be surprised how helpful those seeming unrelated classes can really help!

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[Vikia]

I think artographs are okay in some instances when used for placement of key reference points for critical accuracy. Clients care about accuracy. If this is a concern, then go ahead and get it accurate.

But for illustration as an artform, it is so relaxing to just draw freehand. I think people should give it a try more often and hone those skills BECAUSE IT IS FUN.

If you want to improve your confidence, try using a grid method for a while until you feel more comfortable. Start with small grid and eventually work up to a large grid. The confidence will improve.

I like to rough in shapes for placement first. I use a light pencil. Then go back to draw for detail.

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[PrintDriver]

I've used them for scaling sketches for larger paintings.
Using them to trace images exactly, unless they are your own images, is kinda not cool. Even if you do 'make changes' to them.

PD is a grande format digital print dude. His advice/opinions may not apply to the 4color/offset/web world of printing

[1984]

I think drawing is only good to practice if you want to make a good drawing. If the only reason you draw is to help bring out ideas, then get good enough to the point where others can understand what you are trying to convey. Otherwise it's like anything else, you can take it as far as you need it, or further if you desire.

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[D-Zine]

I used Artographs in college but only to enlarge my drawings....or for my intro to typography course where I had to hand render all the fkn fonts!! Whew - do I miss that? Ahh hell no!! Seriously tho, the artograph helped with those projects. Dunno if schools even make you do a Type I class any more and it NOT be on the computer. They should tho..teaches ya skillzzzz :oP

Power to the Oldschoolers

[Eraser Nubbin]

What is an artograph?
And ya, totally learn to draw. Kind of like learning HTML before learning Dreamweaver. Take a life drawing or figure drawing class at your local art institute. Oh yeah and if they try and tell you that 90% of the models in the drawing class are female it's bullocks, bullocks I say!

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