When it comes down to it, what makes a good artist? I was taught to draw by the same teachers as David Hockney - stand any of my work in a gallery window and a brick will be thrown through it (come to think about it, a brick is a fair price for one of my paintings);-) - just because an artist speeds up the process by tracing/ using optical techniques etc. does not mean they don't input some soul and technique - the glazes and fine line work of those renaissance artists is definitely outstanding - on the other hand, does it mean that those who worked without optical aid (eg. Michaelangelo's frescoes)should be set on a higher plane?