Yes, Karen. I agree it is very frustrating seeing people give up their hard-earned hearts for bogus sketches, knowing the cheaters are basically stealing them from the honest people who work hard on their sketches. And I think there are many people here who feel the same as you do.

Just remember, when you work hard and create something you are proud of, that that is a feeling the cheaters will never have...

PK you are absolutely correct!!

I am very glad to be part of this community. It makes my day!!

I agree with you Karen. I have very high respect for artists who try so hard to try to make the correct proportion, the right shading, I struggle the same but I have

been so inspired by people who make it happen. I just think that automic wip for "every image load" or oblige everyone to declare all image loads in the stats by themselves. That way, we can erase all doubts, because honestly, skipping drawings that look great but we cannot give full trust isnt a good feeling at all. I think this is not being harsh, just regulating for everyone's good.

Great point, Koban! One of the problems that would be solved with auto-WIPs is when you come across something you really like, but it has image loads, so you're not sure if you can trust it. While some cheaters would be exposed by this, a lot of people that use image loads legitimately would be exonerated!

I love seeing everyone's thoughts here. A lot of great points being raised!

Thanks PK! =)

Was wondering if more importance was placed on wip's and higher reward given to them instead of just the finished sketch. Then The focus would shift to no just having a good end sketch but a excellent progression, which would be helpful to those learning and new to SC. It would also discourage loads because line stats could represent random work behind a layer with a load on top. Therefore the proof would be in the wip where an artist can show they are responsible for all the hard work.

I'm in favor of auto wip's. That seems like it would eliminate the controversy if I understand you all correctly.

It would certainly be a step in the right direction, Karen. One of the problems with auto WIPS, however, is that some mixed media artists might load in 100 images to design their textures. That would be difficult, I think, to work out the WIPs. And then there's also the issue of people getting around image loads by making brush stamps...

But, having said that, I think that the stats could show a small, emoticon sized version of any custom brushes used that were not downloaded from SC...or at least mention how many non-SC custom brushes were used...

Automate the compo rules to stats for verification that requisites are met prior to being allowed to submit a piece to a compo. Perhaps it can even tell the user why their image is not acceptable... Ie. 'Image uploads is greater than current attached wips.' or 'you've already submitted a piece to this compo, would you like to replace the previous submission with your new image?'

I like this option a little more than the previously stated.

You know, I like using image uploads to assist with my creating my fun cartoony drawings. I like manipulating images to make them my own and then use as templates for my drawings. If people have issue with this, then I suppose I can never put anything into compos. But you know, my drawings are damn good with image uploads or not, so there 😝

There's nothing wrong with it Buffy... everyone is taking this issue too personally. We can all agree that there are people abusing the system. Right? Ok, So, because of the fraudulent cheats, something should be done, else it discourages the people who are truly deserving of awards.
I encourage all people who use image uploads for whatever purposes other than blatant plagiarism to start brainstorming ideas to help the community in dwindling the cheaters. Unfortunately I see no simple solution other than cutting image uploads from compos all together. I mean, Sketch Club was created as a fully functional art medium, which it would make perfect sense to have all competitions be strictly in app art, to keep the playing field equal.

My two cents....I like the idea of the automated WIP for any image loads. I tend to get my ideas on paper, napkins, coasters or whatever is around when an idea strikes me, and use that as an image load for starters. Certainly have nothing to hide, and if someone chooses a bunch of image loads to help in their creativity I have no problems their either......and if they are being honest about what they are creating, shouldn't bother them. Regardless, I do think that someone who creates everything within this app deserves more kudos, and I'd be cool if only those can be in the compos. Regardless, I'll keep makin my crap the same way

Ha ha..love your "crap" demodaved 👍😉

what about doing the sketch in pen and paper and uploading that for the picture?

Automatically adding image loads as wipwould be the best way to show the true work people do... if you made a sketch on paper first it is a wip right...if you traced an image from a the web its not officially a wip

That is perfectly fine, Mark. Just include the original pen and paper drawing as a WIP. Artigan starts from a pen and paper sketch often, and he uploads the pen and paper WIP. There is. Nothing wrong with this. Very legitimate use of an image load!

And as long as you upload the WIP, then you meet the rules of the compo!

Really? You actually want a image upload of Jo and Blair from Facts of Life to go along with my finished product? 😂. Yeah, that's ok, I'll keep creating but bow out of any future compos.🍺

To define art is near impossible when you look at it in such a broad perspective. There really isn't anything that should not be appropriate other than straight up cheating by using art that is not yours. The question is, How do we help prevent the cheaters from being able to steal the compos from the honest artists in the community? I'd think that even legitimate image upload users would like a better chance at winning compos too, so why is our complaining going around in the same circle touching the same bases on this issue over and over and over and....

I SO TOTALLY AGREE DILL!

My faith is in BP, that he is totally aware of this problem among us, that has infiltrated our ranks! The ranks of the honest. We will prevail. Keep that SC faith! We are still evolving and BP is a great and hearing leader!

while i don't consider this app to be particularly a photomanipulation app .. if others do wish to create artwork with it via this method, that is all good to me. I will judge the work over the method.

This does not mean to say that work, even beautiful work, with no SC application would ever get my "vote" in a combo. But WIPs can help with that, as do all the awesome stats we have now.

PK I would agree with u on that. It kinda gets me ticked off when u see this wonderful picture then when I go to see it, it's just copied from the Internet 😔 it's dissapointing.

I have another idea. The issue started because of compos. What if, when starting a new sketch, you would have a special "compos" canvas?
The resolution would be the same for everyone, won't allow image loads and only the standard brushes would be available.

This could be potentially restricting, but would level up everyone entering a compo.

Thoughts?

i do the same thing as artigan, also i use images for reference photos, like when doing portraits or certain drawings trying to get the perspective of something, some people need it because our memory is horrible. granite there are alot of things i use no image uploads for but some are needed. my recent sketch of me, i really had to study my face because i'm so critical on myself that i try not to pay much attention to the way i look.