[Jacqueline Dunster]

I didn't want anyone to think I'd disappeared!

Thanks to this thread and a few other sources, I think I've softened my position a bit - some people trace when they are starting out with art, and it builds their confidence. Some people have other specific reasons for it. I don't envy them for not having this skill, I don't think that deciding to not learn how to draw is a good thing, but hey - whatever. My main bone of contention (as I previously mentioned) is the almost disdainful dismissal of the art of drawing, and its importance.

IT'S IMPORTANT That's it for me. One will never be "better off" because they don't know how to draw. They may still do great stuff, but they are not in an enviable position for lacking that specific skill.

Lon - I happened to see some of your sketches, and I think your work is a prime example of why not tracing portraits can be such an asset. They have a fresh, unique look to them that is not the product of tracing or slavishly copying a photo. They retain the likeness, but with your stamp on each portrait. I guess traced portraits can have their own "stamp" too, but it probably won't be in the interpretation and proportion of the features. Only a freehand drawing can do that. And I think that's a big part of portrait art.

It's funny, I think one of the biggest assets of knowing how to draw is the ability to draw from my imagination. I love to draw from life too, but I am often doodling and drawing all over my sketchpads. It keeps me out of trouble. I bring my sketchpad to work. (It's allowed at my job.) These are joyous activities, so I guess I can't understand why some people (the ones who eschew drawing) want to deprive themselves of such fun.