Are copies of other artists drawings or paintings acceptable?
This topic deals with copies of existing paintings or drawings. Copies from photos are not discussed at this point. The copying of other artists’ drawings or paintings is a time-honored, effective method of learning and practice. No one is arguing that you shouldn’t do it. But this activity does not produce works that are truly yours–your concept, your composition, your vision or even your approach to picture-making. Yet these are exactly the things we want to see from the artists here at OekakiCentral. We’re interested in your images. This is why there are strict limitations on the submission of copies of other artists’ paintings or drawings. In the Workshop, copies of other artists’ paintings or drawings are not allowed. That room is for receiving help on improving your own work. For the reasons stated above, we don’t feel that a copied drawing is a suitable vehicle for such help. The 1-star rooms welcome practice work. This form of practice is completely acceptable there. In the 2-
