Is Tracing Cheating?

This is a question I’m asked quite often, and my simple answer is:
No — tracing is not cheating if it allows you to engage in art.

I know some people will strongly disagree, and that’s okay. If you’re entering a drawing competition, then yes — tracing would be cheating. Competitions are designed to celebrate drawing ability and originality.

But if you’re someone who wants to learn to paint, and the only thing holding you back is your confidence in drawing, then I say: trace it, and enjoy painting!

Over the years, I’ve met so many people who want to paint but feel discouraged because their drawing skills aren’t where they’d like them to be. They feel defeated before they even start, believing that their “flawed” sketch will ruin their painting. That always makes me a little sad — and honestly, frustrated at whoever made them feel that way in the first place. Everyone deserves to create without fear.

Tracing as a Learning Tool

In my art classes north of Brisbane, I teach my students a variety of drawing techniques, because I truly believe drawing is a wonderful skill to develop. Like any skill, it improves with practice and guidance.

But think about it — when someone learns to swim, we don’t throw them into the deep end without floaties or a swimming instructor. We give them support tools like kickboards or buoyancy vests to help them learn safely and confidently.

I see tracing in the same light. Tracing can act like a “floatie” for drawing — a support tool that helps you build confidence until you’re ready to swim on your own.

What About Grid Drawing?

Some people also view grid drawing as “cheating,” but I couldn’t disagree more. A grid is simply another tool for learning to draw. Many professional artists use grids to plan their compositions, enlarge their sketches, or ensure proportions are correct before painting.

If using a grid helps you feel capable and motivated to create, then please, use the grid! The goal is to help you engage in art, not to discourage you with unnecessary rules.

Tools That Support Artists

Walk into any art store or browse online, and you’ll find tracing paper, projectors, and transfer tools — all designed for artists. Why? Because many artists, even experienced ones, use them.

Some use projectors to transfer an image onto a large canvas so they can spend more time painting and less time sketching. Others trace outlines to save time or to ensure accuracy in complex designs.

At the end of the day, if tracing or gridding helps you create — and it’s not part of a judged competition — then it’s absolutely fine. Art is meant to bring joy, relaxation, and connection, not guilt.

What Matters Most

As I remind my students in my Moreton Bay art studio, if you’re tracing or using a grid, don’t just mindlessly follow the lines. Observe. Notice the shapes, the angles, and how the lines intersect. Pay attention to how everything connects. These observations help train your eye and hand, building your muscle memory — an important part of developing drawing skills.

With time, observation, and practice, your confidence in freehand drawing will naturally grow. But until then, if tracing or using a grid means you’re creating, relaxing, and enjoying art — then keep going!

Just remember one rule:
Don’t trace something and claim to have drawn it freehand — that’s cheating.

Otherwise, keep creating, keep learning, and most of all — keep finding joy in your art.