Well, I've notice that none of the common ways to transfer the reference work for me, what I mean is that usually I use all of them and none. I do not like the remanent of tracing or drawing and correcting or meshing in my drawings. I've come to trace only very dark parts of the drawing, which need to be marked/color dark after. Also, sometimes I put marks on specific points to mark positions (by tracing), these are very light and easily erased. In this way there are no remains of the under-sketch. I tape/mask a frame in all my paper drawings and often I use meshing markings the outside the drawing area, in the masking frame tape, which I use sporadically use to measure positions with the use of a ruler or the side of a paper matching the markings. And I sketch the forms that are remaining.
Also depends what I want to do with it, for instance if I'm going to do acrylics I avoid using graphite, but use charcoal. Graphite tends to float over the acrylic medium and some marks are almost impossible to erase. This is why I tend to use charcoal if I do an underdrawing. Also when I use layering and keep the underdrawing.
Also depending on the surface, if its canvas, yupo o aluminum or some non absorbent surface, I will not even sketch or draw anything, I'd mask with tape the shape, and tone it with paint or airbrush. Most problems I become is when I sketch something, then is always coming through the layers of paint. Just happened to me in the one I am working just now. I've been literally fighting for 5 days for a line I sketched to guide myself, and keeps coming out.
And, I'm slow enough in making art as it is. I have used my printer and a lightbox to do this, as well as an enlarger. I have especially used this with animals since I never really learned how to draw them or really needed to, except some dogs. I love dogs and have observed them more than any other animal.
