Here is your evidence. “I’m just really good at looking at reference this doesn’t prove anything.” As an art major myself, I know how difficult it is to paint from reference, and make it look EXACTLY like the photo. If we’re talking about down to the smallest details such as hair strands, it is VERY difficult. And if you were at the skill level where you’re able to do so to the point where a 50% overlay can’t distinguish the original image from your painting, then wow I didn’t know you were the descendent of Michelangelo. There are some of your artworks which ‘show’ that you have a good understanding of anatomy, but there are also those in between where you are very unsure as to where the bones and muscles are located. “It was doing a study to understand lighting which is why I lightly painted over the image” There are many things wrong with that but not related to the main point. People learn and study using different methods. Not the most effective, but it does become a problem when you start watermarking the image claiming it as if it’s your own without providing a link to the original. Photographers are artists too and deserve just as much credit. "It’s called using reference photos, which many artists do for poses/anatomy” Yes, they do. I do as well, but there’s a difference between using reference and literally taking the image, making subtle changes, and calling it your own. Photo bashing IS an actual technique, where artists take photos and paint over them, but they’re changed to the point where the original photo is no longer recognizable. Yours, however, many can tell in a heartbeat.
“I make no attempt to disguise it as anything other than a redraw (having the image open next to the canvas and studying it)” Here are the keywords that you’ve tagged on the drawings above.
No attempt? It’s great to have art as a hobby, it’s fine to photo bash (when they are your own photos/have permission from the original artist), and some of your work is lovely. The reason why I’m calling you out is because you claim them as if they are yours and are thus encouraging those who are not as informed in art that your methods are the correct way of doing so and in that sense, you could really get someone in trouble. You also place your watermark on images that do NOT belong to you which I’m sure your aware is not right at all and those photographers aren’t receiving ANY credit for their work.