Over the years, much has been said about drawing with references. I think we all know the controversy and the certain bad reputation that the use of references in drawing can have because, according to some, it becomes an exercise where the artist limits himself to copying without it being necessary to develop his skills.

American painter Eliyahu Mirlis considers that the use of references is something important. All of us at some point have used references to draw and they are still present with us over time in one way or another. After all, what is drawing but a representation of something that we have previously seen (or thought)?

According to the New Jersey-based artist, the main issue with drawing with references is that eventually turns into making almost mechanical copies and not being able to go from there. This has as its root such as the correct development of creativity and the skills of future artists, who-presumably could neither generate their own style nor go beyond the limitations implied by the ignorance of elements such as anatomy, perspective and composition, among others.

It is not that it is impossible for someone who copies to reach more, but for this to happen, they must necessarily end up breaking the mold because they will find that their tools are limited. So in summary, "copy and just copy" is not something that can last long if one wants more of the drawing and having references will definitely give more realism and detail to your works, as we will see below.

Drawing with References: How and When

Well, since it has become clear that this is not going to be like when one very excitedly drew one after another copy of his favorite images or other animated series from the past, let's talk about references as a working tool in drawing.

There are a number of artists who have been questioned about this fact (they have even been asked if drawing with references even means drawing as such) and the opinion is generally the same: it is a necessary reality check that must be put to work together with other knowledge and tools.

A Purpose

One of the first things to keep in mind is the purpose of using references in your drawing. Yes, we can sit down and make a faithful copy of something and voila, but unless that is what you really want or need to do, why is it that you are looking to represent something of that photo, scene or person in your drawing?

As a modern abstract artist, both in drawing and painting, Eliyahu Mirlis goes beyond making works of mechanical precision. The subject of his paintings tells a story, talks about its purpose, contains a message.

You may also intend to draw with references not for your next finished work, but doing studies with which to polish yourself as an artist. Be that as it may, what is behind your drawing is the purpose, the motivation.