So I keep hearing people around the net saying that they don't use references because they think it is cheating or that it is a sign of more talent when you can draw something without using a ref. I wonder who the heck began that tidbit of information.

There is such a thing as good and bad referencing.
Bad referencing is when you look at something and draw it exactly how it appears in the image instead of understanding WHY it looks that way. It makes you improve, but in a very twisted and tainted way. What is even worse is when you decide to upload it and not say that you used a reference when your drawing is 99% the reference you were looking at and 1% what you added on your own. Example: Looking at Pokemon cards and redrawing the picture of Pikachu in exactly the same pose and style but giving it a fox tail instead of a lightning bolt tail.
Good referencing is when you study the skeletal structure of a dog, understand which bone goes where and why, so that when you draw a dog later you know that because of the skeletal structure a dog's leg looks like this. Then when you want to draw a dog running you can picture the bones in your mind and how they would construct the pose, therefore boosting your ability to draw something. And you don't even have to credit that, it is real life.

Granted, when I was younger I used to look at other artist's work and would copy them onto paper to learn. You can learn a few things doing that, but you also hurt yourself. Still, if you must do that then keep it to yourself, never scan it, never put it in a gallery with your name on it.
If you want to improve your art, use references. That is all there is to it. Go to the zoo, draw the animals, look at wildlife photos, do figure drawing, etc. Real life is the best reference source you can have, use it. (Of course if you aren't interested in improving then you don't have to use references, but don't be surprised when people tell you that your anatomy is bad.)

When you get into an art class, they will tell you to use references. When you get an art job, they will send you references of what they want. A lot of my assignments at LCAD have required the use of references of some sort. Without them my projects would have looked shallow and limp. If you tell your teacher or your boss that "using references is for losers and I think I am better because I don't NEED references" then have fun failing.

The ONLY slack I have seen someone get for using reference is when they don't credit or admit that they used something. Even something as simple as "reference used" is enough to get people to leave you alone about it.

So, anyway that is my thought of the day, discuss if you wish!

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