<p>DD is still a couple years away from applying to college, but wants to start putting together an art portfolio. She has a question about counts as original art that can be submitted in a portfolio?</p>
<p>So far most of her works are in charcoal or pencil, and were created in art classes and based off of photographs. Some photographs are famous works (Afghan girl), while others are much more obscure (at least to both of us). Would any of these qualify as original art?</p>
<p>She has also had a few sessions with live models, so I assume that would qualify.</p>
<p>She was thinking about taking photographs of people and creating an artwork based upon that. However, I have heard that portfolio reviewers always prefer observational studies over work based upon photographs, and that they can tell the difference. Can anyone comment about this?</p>
<p>Definitly lose the process of working from photographs. Not only is it looked down upon admissions people, considered plagiarism (in the case of drawing directly from famous works) but it also appears to be a crutch. If a drawing of a photograph does nothing besides translate the photograph then it calls into question why that drawing could not have been made from direct observation. In addition, admissions groups view it as an easy alternative than working from observation as the camera has already decided the composition of a drawing as well as interpreted and edited values. </p>
<p>tldr working from photos gets the worst raps possible in art schoo. Its in the same boat as drawing anime/manga.</p>
<p>I will tell her to do still lifes from direct observation. However, getting people to sit still is harder, except in the case of models. If she took the photographs of people herself, is it still considered just as bad?</p>
<p>Timkerdes is correct. Avoid copying photos. Better (much better) to do self-portraits while looking in a mirror, still life drawings, drawings of pets or people from life, etc. Also–hands and feet (your own, or other people’s) are great.</p>
<p>Once your d has lots of good experience drawing from observation, using photos as reference for creating a NEW work can be okay–ie, my daughter did a series of book cover illustrations that were kind of ‘collage-y’ things with eyes, hands, etc and flowers/pine cones/shells–she took all the people images herself with her camera and used real flowers,etc and also photos of flowers, etc and then combined them into compositions. I think this is different than just straight-up copying a photo. And the portfolio reviewers really liked it.</p>
<p>If it is possible for her to take a summer life-drawing class, that is also very good to have in a portfolio.</p>
<p>I can’t speak about traditional art schools, but my daughter is a professional painter/portrait artist, so I’ve learned some things.</p>
<p>Do not paint from a published photograph, or copy it. That is plagerism. As others have said, draw/paint from real life. Your daughter should take some courses at an art student league, where nude models are hired to sit for days. This is how my daughters started with art. Once your daughter is 15 or so, she will be allowed into classes where there are nude models.</p>
<p>Once an artist has the proper training, he or she can use their own photographs of a model or scene in order to assist him/her with the painting. The proper training is critical, because the painter is not actually copying the photograph, which would give the painting a flat, 2-dimensional look instead of a three-dimensional look, for starters. A good portrait artist also captures the spirit of the sitter, instead of copying a random look frozen in time by a camera. There is no way a high school student could attain this level, so it is best to stick with drawing from life until the skills are learned.</p>
<p>I’d also likie to add that using photos you have taken yourself may not be just as bad as making work directly from photos but it wont make your daughter stand out. It kind of gives a bad impression on admissions people if you draw from photos. It makes it seem as if the person thinks photographs represent the highest degree of realism and that the goal of drawing is to be a photograph.</p>
<p>Remember that a photograph is just as much a translation of reality as any drawing or painting. It isnt a substitute for reality.</p>
<p>However, there are projects that could be executed where you use photos to make interesting2d design projects, like in artmama’s daughter’s case. Regardless you’ll want to make sure she has a substantial body of drawings done from observation when she does begin applying to schools. </p>
<p>The good news is that your daughter is pretty early and the game, so she can definitly change her way of working for when the time comes. More importantly she should find a field of practice to focus on (drawing, painting, sculpture, design etc… )so that she has an idea of what schools to apply to.</p>
<p>If you use someone else’s photograph from which to draw, paint, etc, it is plagiarism under one of two criteria:</p>
<ol>
<li>You claim that it is an original work by yourself.</li>
<li>You sell it for financial gain.</li>
</ol>
<p>However, if you copy a work, provide the appropriate reference, and show it in a portfolio, you are NOT guilty of plagiarism. Under the Fair Use Act in education, students have the right to utilize copyrighted creative works for the purpose of scholarship. For example, copying a famous painting would help a student understand the techniques and style of a particular artist.</p>
<p>Regardless, Timkerdes makes a very good point in that a photograph is already a two-dimensional representation of reality, and half the work is done. Part of the challenge of being an artist is transposing a three-dimensional world on a two-dimensional canvas, and this is why working from real life is so very important and critical to developing skills. However, there’s no reason why someone cannot work from an image, but not to a degree that their artistic development stagnates. This is why it is frowned upon.</p>
<p>Typically you want a portfolio to show college level creative thinking. Drawing from a picture no matter if it’s “legal” to do so for education use, will NOT get you a notable scholarship or entrance in an art school. Trust me…I seen people submit copy work and they sadly got rejected or got ZERO in scholarships.</p>
<p>There are even art competitions that are cracking down on copy material.</p>