If you have followed my work for long, you will probably know that I always work from reference images. When I first started drawing, I fell in love with photorealism and the technique and craftsmanship involved in carefully, painstakingly at times, copying a reference image. That is what I enjoy doing and I get really excited about each new project.
The very definition of Photorealism implies that there is a photograph involved and using reference images is simply a part of that process for me no matter what it is called. Other artists may prefer to work from life or from their own imaginations. That is the great thing about art- you can feel free to create anything you want using whatever techniques suit your own style.
When it comes to creating art, it is my belief that we should all do what makes us happy and creates the best result.
So, the very beginning of my process is always to find or take an amazing reference image. I get my reference photos from 3 different sources:
- Take my own
- Free, royalty-free sites like Pixabay
- Paid subscription sites like Adobe Stock
Each of these sources comes with its own set of pros and cons. Here are my thoughts.
When you take your own photos for reference you have complete ownership of the copyright and you never need to worry about crediting another photographer. It can give you a wonderful feeling of creative satisfaction to know that you were a part of the process from the beginning and your drawing is truly one of a kind.
However, you are limited in a few ways if you want to take your own reference. First of all, you probably won’t have the skill level to take the same quality reference as a professional photographer. Working from an amazing photograph with lots of detail and contrast can make your artwork turn out so much better and help you advance that much faster. Next, it can be very time-consuming to set up a photo shoot and edit your images. When you use a professional reference, all of that work is done for you. And, last, you won’t always have access to all of the subjects that you want to draw. While I really love to draw the seasonal botanicals growing here in Indiana, I still often want to draw plants that only grow in other parts of the world
If you struggle with taking your own reference photos, one alternative is to use free images from a royalty-free reference site like Pixabay, Unsplash or PaintMyPhoto. These sites are great because you can find quality reference images for nearly anything you want to draw for free.
To find reference photos of exceptional quality, you might consider a paid subscription-based site like Adobe Stock or Dreamstime. These sites are expensive and it can be confusing to understand what type of license you need for the way you intend to use the reference, (personal practice vs. selling prints for instance). However, I really feel like using these quality reference images has helped me improve faster as an artist because the images I am drawing from have so much detail and vibrancy and I am able to draw such a wide variety of subjects.
When you start using reference material from another photographer, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you should credit the site where you found the reference and the photographer when you can. When you are drawing from another photographer’s reference, your completed piece is more of a collaboration between you and the photographer. You shouldn’t sell your work as ‘an original’ unless you have significantly changed it from the reference. If this is something that bothers you, you would be better off taking your own photos.
It is also important to keep in mind that another artist could draw (or paint) something very similar to you- or something identical if you are drawing in photorealism like me. And, you might not qualify to be a part of certain contests or art shows if you use someone else’s reference. This may or may not be important to you.
Last, always be very aware of copyright regulations. These laws are there to protect artists and you don’t ever want to infringe on other artists’ rights. The licensing agreements are different from site to site with the free reference sites typically having fewer regulations than the paid subscription sites. These laws might also vary in different countries. It is my recommendation that you always err on the side of caution, read the fine print and contact the site directly if you have any questions about copyright and what type of license you need for the ways you are using the images.
So, there you have it! A summary of everything I have learned over the years about using reference photos for my artwork. For more detailed information, you can check out my Patreon page at www.patreon.com/JenniferMorrisonArt.
And, by the way, the beautiful reference image for the drawing of the Amarylis attached to this post came from Svetlana Nikolaeva at Adobe Stock.
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