Posts like these honestly absolutely terrify me.
I use references. A lot. I’m still uncomfortable with proportions in my less-cartoony style and using those references is how I improve. Every reference I use is either from free stock, stock I’ve paid to use (which is NOT as expensive as OP makes it out to be), pose reference libraries, or other sources such as pornography (live action).
But you know what? That’s why I’m so open about using them. Hell, on my commission page I openly offer slight discounts if someone comes to me with a good free stock reference for a piece they want done.
Posts like these demonize artists for trying to use every resource available to them in an attempt to improve their craft. Posts like these try to ruin artists’ reputation for no obvious gain. They are malicious. And it scares me that people think these callouts are okay.
You know what else pisses me off? This line right here:
Due to the inconsistencies in style her style, I had suspicions that Ariel might be tracing.
People change the way they draw all the time, and it’s not always some gradual improvement. Using my own stuff as an example? I have two very, VERY different styles. Both of which are constantly shifting and evolving. I’ll figure out a new way of drawing eyes that I like, or some such thing, and it’ll be night and day from piece to piece.
Saying “inconsistencies” in the style prompted you to spend what must have been HOURS hunting down the references used for each of these images is an excuse. If it makes you feel better, all power to you. But what this post comes down to is this: The OP wanted to hurt this artist. I don’t know why, and quite frankly I don’t care.
I hope whatever misplaced sense of justice or victory they got from it was worth it, because this shit doesn’t fly in the artist community.
OP: You will be proven wrong time and time again, and each time you will circle back with the same “I’m right you’re wrong lalala” logic.
Referencing is not art theft.
Whatever crusade you were trying to start against this artist has failed.
Sit down while you still have some dignity left.
