Concerning Tracing

I was approached some time ago by a person who was sincerely asking about getting out of the habit of tracing.

Now, this is not a very usual request for me to get but none the less I see a lot of people out there who I believe are struggling with this very situation (as we all know this is a huge issue in the equine art community). And it got me thinking about what someone told me; “You are only as good as you are without your references”. And I think this is very true. But it is also about being honest with yourself.

I certainly don’t think it helps that there is this huge stigma around tracing, from both sides at that. While a lot of people hate and condemn it like some sort of plague most also conform to the code that it is really foul to call someone out on it, maybe even shameful to do so. And on the other hand people who do trace often feel personally attacked when anyone mentions it, even when it is done in a kind manner, and even though it is just simply the truth. Which I think is a shame, because it doesn’t help either part, does it.

Now, concerning the original question, I think it is important to be open about why we put art out there. It is to be seen. And it is as simple as that. Some of us have more niched purposes, like evoking strong emotions or selling a particular product. But I’m sure all of us know that very special feeling you get when you put something new out there. Getting praised for your work is a very real rush that can be a bit addicting, to be honest.

But what praise do we really care about?
Don’t get me wrong. I love all my watchers, some of you I have even become friends with. A few, even really close friends. But I know firsthand that astonishment and pride you get to feel when someone you look up to happen to fave or comment on something you put out there. Something you didn’t think they’d ever even come across or care about.
And believe me, this will never end. The more you grow the more you will realize that there will always be someone better than you. And you will strive towards being that good again.

I also remember that first time I realized that the people I looked up to since my early devart days where tracing. It was a bit surreal to be honest. And then, disappointing. It wasn’t that they were tracing, at least I don’t think it was. I didn’t have any particular opinion about stuff like that back then. It was that they had come across as being something they were not.
Now I feel like they were these amazing celebrities in the papers, who looked amazing, and where something I could never achieve to be. But as it turns out they were (ironically) just photoshopped.

And this is where being honest towards yourself comes in. Who are you really, and what are you capable of at this moment. But it is also about believing in yourself and realizing that with hard work you can be something great, for real.

As it later turned out, the better you get, the more you see. And as I had been tracing a bit myself, I knew what it looked like of course, but now as my knowledge about art grew I could see more faults in my favorite artists. You can’t bullshit a bullshitter, but you can’t bullshit someone who knows more than you either. No matter how many “step by step” you try to convince people with, they will always know.

And I think this is something to keep in mind. The praise you really seek, and really care about won’t come from the people who really matter. Not until you are true to yourself.






(Also I freaking love this song)
[link]