Let’s talk about the dirty secret most professional artists don’t want you to know about. Before you go any further, it’s important to note that this episode isn’t about shaming or challenging anyone’s talents or skills as a portrait artist. It’s about giving you the inspiration you need to try a new medium of art with a skill that can be developed with time and practice.  Using photography, projectors, and tracing is a secret most portrait artists won’t talk about, but it’s been used by artists in some form since as early as the 1600s, if not earlier.   In this episode, I share how famous artists such as Johannes Vermeer, who painted The Girl with a Pearl Earring, and Norman Rockwell, an American painter known for his illustrations, also used photography and projection to create portraits.  I am convinced that watercolor is the medium for creating portraits, and if you’ve never done so before, my Watercolor Portrait Academy gets into more details. You can watch me paint, and you can learn how I use these techniques to create amazing portraits.  Knowing this taboo technique is a game-changer for so many people. A few things I think you’ll need to know about watercolor and this artist's secret is:  There is no shame in using these techniques to create your own portraits You can totally elevate your skill level and confidence Using these techniques is a creative art of its own  “By calling out these other artists is not to shame anybody [...], but to let you know there's no shame in doing this. There's no shame in using photography and your art.” -Miriam Schulman   Episode mentioned you’ll want to check out also:  How Portraits Can Turn Passion into Profits  Check out Miriam’s Favorite Art Supplies   Miriam’s free resources  Schulman Art Instagram  For full show notes, go to schulmanart.com/196  ++++++++++++++++++++  ?FREE GOODIES!?  Don't forget to check out the Inspiration Place goodie bag. Go pick up your party favor over at SchulmanArt.com/freebies. Whether you're a passionista or a passion professional, I've got something just for you.  ++++++++++++++++++++  ?NEVER MISS AN EPISODE!  If you loved this, I've got more inspirational episodes coming your way! Please make sure you hit the subscribe or follow button in your podcast app. And if you're feeling extra generous- leave me a review-- https://schulmanart.com/review-podcast   ++++++++++++++++++++  BTW If you pop your Instagram handle at the end of the review, I'll even give you a shout out over on my IG stories!  ++++++++++++++++++++  I'd love to chat with you on Instagram: http://instagram.com/schulmanart