When you do a self portrait. . .

[Nusku]

Do you use a photo of yourself or a mirror? Explain why you chose one over the other.

[Craig D]

Why do so many questions from people seem to be worded the same way as an exam Q?

[Nusku]

Why do so many questions from people seem to be worded the same way as an exam Q?

i'm just curious! sorry

[iMigraine]

Use a mirror because then your drawing from observation (life). Your head has no flat edges in life unlike a photo which flattens everything. I bought a seven inch mirror from Bed Bath & Beyond for roughly $30. Yes it harder to draw from life but every artist I admire does this too!

[vineris]

Both. Depending on what qualities I need from the self-portrait that I'm doing. Sometimes I need to be challenged. Sometimes I need an awkward angle. Sometimes I need specific lighting. I try out all techniques that look like they might be useful, and after that I know whether I can use them and what I can use them for.

[rem92]

Like Vineris said.. you could use both, sometimes using a good photo ref is good when you wanna go all out and make a refined piece fully rendered and whatnot. But doing it from a mirror really helps you improve your understanding of things, thats where your mind analyzes whats in front of your eyes and why it looks the way it does, cause you are constantly moving and blinking and all that so makes your brain work more, whereas from a picture it feels more like just copying as exactly as possible the picture without actually thinking about the WHY?

Yea, i feel thats why.

[QueenGwenevere]

Personally, I prefer mirrors because I find drawing from photos to be incredibly boring...

(That, and I have so few photos of myself that actually look good...)

[Lady Medusa]

Usually I draw myself in a nose-less mutant comic version, but when I try to do it more realistic, I personally prefer to use photos. They stand still at least, so you can take breaks when needed. And I generally don't like mirrors.

[Elwell]

Do you use a photo of yourself or a mirror? Explain why you chose one over the other.

Say please.

[Arshes Nei]

1. Get a pencil and paper and scan results. - You are posting digital attempts in your sketchbook that look rushed. So go with something simpler. Don't make excuses just do it.

2. If your basic shapes are bad, then the rest of the drawing is going to suffer. Keep in mind, a good circle isn't necessarily a perfect circle. However, your sketchbook shows sloppy lopsided circles.

3. Work on proportions. There are many ways of measuring using your fingers/hands standing back, rulers. They are all tools. Use them.

4. If you're asking more questions than drawing than there is a problem. There are a lot of threads going into why drawing from life is better than photos. I suggest before running to type out a question you take some time to do some research.

5. There should be a lot more doing than asking the forums. You need to post more work in your sketchbook. Period.

6. For the answer to your question, do both. Start finding out the differences. I can tell you all day the stove is hot, don't touch. But maybe you need to touch the damn stove to know what I mean. So again. Go draw.

[Black Spot]

I usually work from a mirror, but I find a bottle of wine first helps.

[arenhaus]

Why do so many questions from people seem to be worded the same way as an exam Q?

Because kids are bombarded with this type of question in school nowadays. They can't help having it internalized and regurgitating it right back out.

Sad, I know.

[triggerpigking]

Used to have to draw from photo for the most part due to a cramped desk and space but now that I got a new one im using a mirror, defineitly the better way since your drawing from life photo's distort things, just makes visual measuring a pain in the ass and I find it hard to keep still especially since I have a habit of drawing with my head slightly tilted don't ask me why I don't know lol.