But, guys, did you even read the slashed text?... It was meant to be a joke, obviously! 
yes, I totally joked, I even use references sometimes..... but really sometimes
Yes, I did realise you were joking, and even if I hadn't, I wouldn't have been particularly offended because I had a solid art upbringing courtesy of my mum and I know it's simply not true. However, I did feel compelled to point out the contrary because not everyone had that, and getting called a cheater for using references (which, like Haiz pointed out, is absolutely something "real" painters do all the time) is an
actual freaking problem that keeps especially young hobby artists from developing their eye and hand.
Martti, even you yourself just stressed that you only use references "sometimes" - as if using them "always" would be somehow shameful.
I'm not saying all the art someone produces should be more or less direct copies of reference photographs like the sauna pic and the car, I'm saying if you need a reference for a pose, or a pattern, or a hand position, or a material,
you use one. Art is as much about eye as it is about hand, and
how can your eye get better if you don't use it? Draw from life. Draw from photographs. Trace panels of your favourite comics for practice.
Look at things before you try to replicate them. LOOK. PRACTICE. One day I might be experienced enough in drawing large shiny metal objects that I can just wing a sports car in fifteen minutes, but the day before yesterday I had never drawn any metal objects bigger than a blade in my life. Today, I have, and while I could just roll my eyes (and probably go on another rant) if someone seriously called me a cheater for that, this particular joke is simply. not. funny. I'm not angry at anyone here, but I am angry that this association exists in the first place.
Okay, rant over, let's get back to the regularly scheduled arting.
