Vermeer as Scientist
the-tls.co.uk
the-tls.co.uk
Sometimes, the only art I can completely trust is Modern Art. Then there's that documentary of the young painter Marla Something. Young/child NY artist what painted some great works--with maybe the help of her parents?
When you are drawing, you should be thinking of what problem are you trying to solve, is it a light one, is it a color one. This gives you some grading scale, an ability to see how well you progress through time.
Now, when it comes to problem solving you need some tools, if you want those tools to be your hands and eyes only, there are some limitations to what problems you can reach and solve.
So, I'd really not call it cheating, it's that without some tools you can't accomplish, or can hardly accomplish anything more complicated.
I know a painter who paints depth of field from pictures he takes. But the lens effects of Vermeer are unknown to me.