Tracing and transferring images

I know exectly what you mean. I've always felt the same way you do. I never trace, to me its a sin. It's always been freehand drawing for me. I'am only 26 but have been drawing all my life. And I do think alot of artists do rely on tracing and grids. And computers make it easier for people to just pop things out of the printer and think they're artists. I am self taught and believe in drawing the old-fashioned way, no tracing, grids or computers. Just plain old freehand. And knowing that I made a portrait with my skill from a blank sheet of paper makes it all worth it. The real artists know who they are.