As a child I drew from books..then as a young artist I learned to draw from life...it is a big world..from my window is a cedar, dripping with snow the sun slants across it..
on my sofa is a sleeping dog, an expression of peace on her face, in my mind is a zillion things..Renee's dog and mine swing dancing, packs on wheels.an expression of Victors that i really want to do a study of...that i still want to get a sketch of..don't keep a chip on your shoulder, for no one wants that for you, and I sure don't want to cause any striff..my ol boss had the best saying in the world..of all that he taught me this one has saved me untold stress..the more you stir (we'll use the word dung here) the more it stinks. I use to think that when I had to redraw something bigger or smaller i would need the xerox machine..then one day I said if I did it once I can do it again..and my skill level jumped..i know when i go to a wildlife show and see a painting of a bird that i saw in say "birds and bloom" i recognize it and so do others.It takes away from the piece and gives the artist a bad name. I know that when I see a piece that is drawn from life, that it has a different flavor, more of the impression, more breath. When i do a portrait and the customer is local, I always offer to take the pictures. i get better to work from that way. If i can I really want to see the dog, watch it move, see it's personality. I make a better piece that way. I have been doing this for a long time, and I post this to share what I have learned. I do have an extensive education in art. The most I have learned is from the people I have worked for. I am drawing a collie for a woman right now. She gave me a very small photo to work from. The quality is low. I did go to many collie sites and study their faces to see if the brown markings around the eyes were actually what I was seeing..in the photo it is hard to tell. I use the web as a cross reference. I go to dog parks and try to take pictures with my mind..to remember something and come home to sketch it out. Many clubs, training facilities, shelters, would be more than happy to have you come in and draw from life. It breaks the monontiny (sp?) for them and is great practice for you. DRawing from the masters has always been an acceptable form of practice,,but that is all, practice. Museums will let you come in with a sketch book but not a camera. I think that is all in the spirit of learning. There is a show here in kc every year called arts unleashed. You should check it out for it is a great way to see how other pet artist go about their trade. EAch artist donates a piece and there are some big names there as well as the little guys like me. Since you are starting out, try to have an open mind..being an artist is the most wonderful occupation in the world. It never gets boring, and u only get better never worse. U find that you are capable of better then u ever thought possible. I have written some suggestions that I found gave me great growth as a person as well as an artist. I wish u well in your endevours.
And at least this thread has made more people aware of what happens out in cyber world. 
