I posted something over here

Why you may ask. One Xanga seems to be dying. But two, I have my reasons.

Recently, I talked about the death of photography, at the hands of improved technology letting people take better pictures themselves. The same effect is happening to illustrators and artists. Take this cover of a local freebie.

It's a decent illustration, in a way of Kirk. It does the job in conveying the idea. But, it's been traced from pictures, most likely Photoshop. The biggest tell tale sign is the new Kirk's lips. They are what I would expect to see on something that has been traced. And the coloring is also just tracing.

To me, this a poor illustration. Because the artist adhered to directly to the photos, it lacks any life. Why not just use photos? Oh yeah, that would have cost money. So the magazine hires a cheap illustrator, who in turn searches the web for photos, assembles a collage and several hours later, you've got your illustration.

Why, I bet this was the picture of Chris Pine they used. That took less then a minute to find. Which of course I find somewhat...dishonest, because the artist's work is so directly based on a photographers work, even the lighting. I'm sure the illustrator didn't give a small payout to the photographer.

Drawing from a photoreference isn't wrong per say. I drew this picture of my friend Bill referenced from a photo.

Here is the original I worked from.

I choose this because it best represents Bill, and I had permission to browse through pictures of Bill to work from.

I also made some choices, like not drawing the straw, and his collar. Granted I didn't radically change the look, but I also didn't trace. But what I did do was give my drawing life. It's not just a visual image of Bill, but also an expression of Bill as a person.

Whats even more frustrating is that the artist in question, is talented. However thier own drawings of famous people don't look this good. They are more exspressive of the person, less traced. So it's dissappointing on another level, that a professional would hack.

It just lowers the standards in an industry that is faced with problems all over the place. The last thing we need is illustrators who help undercut talent.

Because that's what this is. Undercutting talent. You don't need much practice, training or talent to take photos and trace and color.