When I was growing up and going to public school, I was taught not to copy other people’s work. It was considered dishonest and cheating.
Now I make my living as a freelance writer, and I can tell you that the rule has not changed–at least for writers. The technical term, of course, is plagiarism, and it has ruined more than one writer’s career.
However, there is one area where copying is not only acceptable, it’s encouraged. That’s in art.
For many years, artists have honed their craft by copying the works of the old masters. Although there are some who discourage this practice because they feel it hinders originality, there is much to be said for learning to draw and paint by copying the works of master artists.
If you have a young student who wants to learn and grow as an artist, and who is up for a challenge, encourage them to try copying some classic works of art. I’ve linked to some blogs and videos below to help you get started.
And don’t forget to have fun.
Here are some blog posts worth reading:
DRAWING TIPS FOR COPYING OLD MASTERS DRAWINGS
THE THREE STEPS TO BECOMING A BETTER PAINTER
IS COPYING THE MASTERS BAD OR GOOD?
Here are a few videos to get you started: