"While I sketched and Brad snapped, the Senator worked on me." Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) Charcoal on paper. Story illustration for "I Paint the Candidates," Look magazine, October 20, 1964. Norman Rockwell Licensing Company, Niles, IL.
Norman Rockwell’s working methods utilized photography as a tool to facilitate the composition, poses, speed and perspectives he achieved in his work. Controversial discussion continues about the long lineage of artists who deployed photography as an aid in painting. Artists have always created studies for their works. Traditional drawings, or cartoons, as these large graphic sketches are known in Europe, are as time-honored as final paintings. Tapestry makers created tapestries from these drawings. Film makers create story boards with sketches of their scenes, and then sometimes use still photography to capture and witness lighting or an angle. Sculptors sketch, and create maquettes before sculpting the finished work. Artists find all kinds of inventive and creative ways to aid in the production and creation of their work. Photography is another such tool.