Is it a good idea to use ESPN "body issues" as an art reference?

*RocMegamanX Jul 16, 2012 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

I own two "Body Issues" of ESPN magazine and have wanted to sketch out the poses and anatomy of the posing athletes.

However, I don't know if those pictures are photoshopped, which is a big no-no in terms of using as reference. Is it OK to use these or should I stick with stock photos on Deviantart or on Google?

Keep in mind, I'm not using this to replace life drawing.

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Devious Comments

~Nashe83 Jul 17, 2012

I think they only photoshop out blemishes and leave the things that would be important to a person who is wanting reference material as it is. So I would say it would be fine to use.

*jerseycajun Jul 17, 2012 Professional Digital Artist

Unless they've photoshopped anatomy that can't exist into the picture (usually found in poor photoshopping work), then even distorted anatomy is still real anatomy, in terms of functionality. But depending on what kind of drawing you're after, distortion can actually become an intentional part of your work. We know it by its other name: Stylized design.

~Yosane Jul 17, 2012

Yes, definitely. They are photoshopped (as all magazines are because photoshop IS the program professional designers use). They are also OK to use as reference. In fact, they are very good to use for muscle reference, because the athletes/models already have nice muscles! The poses are also dynamic and interesting, which is something artists should aim for. Go for it!

What you want to avoid is using Fashion magazines as reference for drawing muscles (especially six-packs *shivers*), because the models don't really have them, and the designers don't really have a good understanding of muscles when they photoshop muscles in (because they want everyone to be STICK THIN!!).

~cowboypunk Jul 16, 2012 Professional General Artist

Unless the image is obviously and poorly edited, I don't know why there should be an issue with it - if you can read the skeleton, muscles and flesh, then drawing it certainly wont hinder anything. Hell, even if you can't read any of it practice is practice, and practice is good. Just keep variety in what you're referencing from and you won't grow any biases.

~Sodayaka Jul 16, 2012 Student Digital Artist

Honestly, if it's a sports kind of magazine, I'm not so sure about photoshopping.
I think, it's okay for more stylized, or maybe even more 'professional' looking poses but I'd stick to dA and google a bit more for stock.

*MeganMissfit Jul 16, 2012 Student Digital Artist

I've used Abercrombie and Fitch shopping bags as reference before

*J-Carver Jul 16, 2012 Professional General Artist

If it's in a magazine...it's been photoshopped.
But I don't see how that has an effect on the gestures.

*RocMegamanX Jul 16, 2012 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

How can we assume that everything in a magazine is photoshopped?

*J-Carver Jul 16, 2012 Professional General Artist

Always making people look perfect. Touching it up. I don't think there is any photo in a magazine that won't be altered in some way through something like Photoshop. It's just a part of the process now.

*RocMegamanX Jul 16, 2012 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

What imperfections would be important to draw? I'm only allowed to draw the pose, but not the anatomy?

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