I loooooves that.
But I have a question. OK, when the crap did it become a BAD thing to use reference, or are people assuming reference means you traced it? Honestly, if you never look at what you're learning to draw/paint/sketch/whatever.... exactly how are you going to know what it looks like?
I have to take Basic Photography as a requirement for graduation for my Illustration degree. Why? Because artists should learn how to work a camera to shoot their references. If I was doing a piece with like... a neat forest in the twilight in the background, you can bet I'd go down to the nature trails at the local park at dusk so I could know what I'm working with....
Sorry for ranting (and this is NOTHING against LD's piece because it wins at life), but I'm seeing this "no reference used" as a badge of honor lately, and I just don't get it.
Wow, Lousy Day, that's fantastic!
Wassy, I think you misunderstood. I couldn't paint clouds before this month. I spent last couple of weeks doing cloud studies from photo references, and it got me to where I was able to paint not bad looking clouds without using references, and I was proud of that fact.
BTW, my May folder on my hard drive has over 50 pictures of clouds. 
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I think your clouds came out really great. I just get worried when people start thinking the use of reference is bad (Adam Hughes has had a fine rant or two about this as well). But drawing without looking isn't what makes your work so special, its the great use of colors and the personal spin you're putting into the piece. AND the fact that you put the effort into doing the studies and gathering all the references. So I would wear the work you did looking at the real thing and painting it with beautiful results as the real badge of honor ^.^
I commented on DA but I just wanted to add to my *jaw drop* that I handn't seen ... hmm .. the Norse version of Zeus? (or the Thor's dad?) there at first ... that is even cooler!
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whoa...... omg... whoa..... *tries to find some kinda of sensical way of communicating* whoa.... *and fails* wow.... oh wow....
MA Arcs - #67636, #92202
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Slag Heap: Why you hurt Guardian!? Guardian no hurt you!
And the best part! TA is dressed!
well, dang
Okay, here's roughs of my piece, in case I don't get to at least colour it: Maiden Light Comics #1!
It's updated with cleaner art and colours.
I'd work on it more, but I should probably spend my time working on commissions. I think that's what my Skinvitationalists would prefer!
Shia where are you your gonna miss the deadline !!
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*jaw drops*