Do artists inadvertantly use themselves as reference?

[PatrickG]

I always remember thinking how much Howard Porter looked like many of the makes he drew in the 90s particularly.

I've been told at various points that when I doodle comic book characters, they tend to resemble people I know or, just as often, me.

Has anyone else noticed this?

I think a lot of artists self-reference to some extent. Not to say that they don't IDEALIZE heavily but little things like chins or eyes or nose shapes or hands often seem to resemble the artist. (*sigh* I half expect somebody to pose a picture of Liefeld with photoshopped tiny ankles.)

Just wondering if I'm alone in this thought. I'd say it primarily applies to artists who use less reference, mind you, but I think it has some truth to it.

[Infra-Man]

I'd agree with you there. A lot of the characters a friend of mine draws resemble him quite a bit. When he and I were working on a failed comic pitch, he really liked the sidekick character and all of the designs and artwork for the sidekick looked like him but with bigger ears.

Think I read it on one of these forums that Jack Kirby used to use himself as a reference when drawing poses. He'd strike poses in a mirror and draw based off that. Could be mistaken, though.

[WhiteRose]

I'd agree with you there. A lot of the characters a friend of mine draws resemble him quite a bit. When he and I were working on a failed comic pitch, he really liked the sidekick character and all of the designs and artwork for the sidekick looked like him but with bigger ears.

Think I read it on one of these forums that Jack Kirby used to use himself as a reference when drawing poses. He'd strike poses in a mirror and draw based off that. Could be mistaken, though.


Wouldn't be surprised. I use myself as reference all the time, mostly for poses and facial expressions, then just alter them to fit the character I'm doing.

Boris Vallejo And Julie Bell use each other as reference for their fantasy works too, that's how I started. They were my favourite artists after the work they did for the 1995 Spider-Man trading card set. Best. Hobgoblin. Ever.

http://www.imaginistix.com/paintingsdetails.cfm?Id=87

[Reverend Smooth]

Just wondering if I'm alone in this thought. I'd say it primarily applies to artists who use less reference, mind you, but I think it has some truth to it.I tend to give people my long legs and fingers. Other than that, you won't see me in my art.

[Karen El]

There's nothing inadvertant about it in my case...

[Alex Dragon]

I've been told a few times some of the people I draw look me. I remember once doing a life size Batman painting and a few people mentioned it looked like me (even though I'm black). I think what it is more than anything is I like certain facial features that I happen to have. I like strong angular chins and cheeks and I tend to draw men with lips a tad fuller most people draw.
After thinking about it for a few minutes and looking at my face in that context, I probably am drawing an idealized version of my face. It's the face I've seen the most over the course of my life and am most familiar with so I probably am inspired by it a bit.

[Sanagi]

I usually draw long-haired people wearing loose, comfortable clothes... So yes.

[Cam63]

There's nothing inadvertant about it in my case...

...and we love it !

[Cam63]

Wouldn't be surprised. I use myself as reference all the time, mostly for poses and facial expressions, then just alter them to fit the character I'm doing.

Boris Vallejo And Julie Bell use each other as reference for their fantasy works too, that's how I started. They were my favourite artists after the work they did for the 1995 Spider-Man trading card set. Best. Hobgoblin. Ever.

http://www.imaginistix.com/paintingsdetails.cfm?Id=87

Yeah, that's a good one.

The first Spidey movie shoulda had a similar look for Green Goblin instead of the dorky helmet.

[howyadoin]

I think a lot of artists, at the very least, use their own hands for reference.

What that says about Glenn Fabry is anybody's guess.

http://www.carlosrosas.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/Illustration%20Day/Glenn%20Fabry/preacher01.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1563895196.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V65622953_.jpg

http://www.neonwheels.com/preacher/images/24.jpg

[Flamebird]

I think a lot of artists, at the very least, use their own hands for reference.

What that says about Glenn Fabry is anybody's guess.

http://www.carlosrosas.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/Illustration%20Day/Glenn%20Fabry/preacher01.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1563895196.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V65622953_.jpg

http://www.neonwheels.com/preacher/images/24.jpg

I think it say that he REALLY needs a good manicurist! :rolleyes: