To reference or not to reference?

[ChantalFournier]

Do you know what people like Greg Manchess, Greg Hildebrand, Donato Giancola, James Gurney and Dan Dos Santos have in common? Yes, they all use references. They all use the best references they can get their hands on. They preferably use references they shot themselves, but they won't go without just because some kid on the internet sneers at references. That's why their art is so good. You can make up all the rules you want about what is cheating and what is not, but other artists don't have to follow your rules, and if they use references and you don't guess who is going to have the best art.