What's the general consensus on using tools with drawing/sketching,

>>2668125
Use whatever tools you need. A ruler and compass won't magically let you draw a perfect head.

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>>2668125

>pic related
Tools yes

>Space Marines
Tools no

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"No tools, just rules." - Glen "Loomis" Vilppu.

I've never used a line or ellipse tool. When I was shit, I just did the stroke over and over until I got something decent, because I knew that was how you got good. Now that I can do it, I don't need the tools anyways.

If you're doing a technical design, something that absolutely needs to be geometrically accurate, then use it, but otherwise just practice your strokes.

Only case traditionally I'd say to use tools is if you're doing something like inking and you really need it to be laser accurate and you can't risk fucking up. Even then, I'd use them sparingly. If you're really bad, at least attempt to do it a number of times before giving up and grabbing your tool just to clean up your line.

If you're not struggling, you won't get better. The whole learning process is adapting to deal with failure.

If you're drawing a series of boxes, and boxes on boxes, is using a straight edge cheating?

>>2668252
Do you make your own charcoal?
Do you make your own paper?

It's not cheating, it's using a tool. Drawing is more than just drawing straight lines. Skill (and the lack thereof) always shows, no matter whether you use a straight edge or not.

whatever you feel like you want to use, just fucking use it. There is no 'cheating' or 'wrong' way. All that matters is what you want. Do you WANT to be good at freehand ellipses or straight lines? Don't let anyone say that you SHOULD, because everyone's journey is different.

Someone saying you have to use your freehand abilities to become a good artist is like a Baby Boomer saying you need to get a 60 hr/week day labor job to be successful. Times have changed. Use the tools you have to do the best you can.

>>2668125

Do you realize that the loomis head (or any form of construction) was never supposed to be drawn with a perfect circle? It's just a loose guideline. Drawing a vector circle will make your drawings worse. Not better.

>>2668252

If the purpose is to learn construction then yes, you're cheating yourself. If you want to draw a finished illustration with boxes then use a ruler to your heart's content.

I mock up and trace 3D figures + scenes in perfect perspective, and there's nothing anyone can do about it.