@theluthier
I don’t see how were disagreeing unless you read my second bullet as someone choosing to work without reference while they have the option to do so. You do not always have perfect, unlimited reference at your disposal and its at these moments that having an intimate knowledge of the subject you are (re)creating helps immensely. 🙂
Based #2’s logic, as masters of their craft, these artists should be treating reference as optional at most.
I don’t think I’ve implied that. In fact I thought “use it but don’t be dependent on it” would emphasize I do not. /shrug
With that said you made your opinion on the matter very clear. You certainly don’t consider it the holy grail. Noted. 😉
