I'm often asked if I use #reference #photos for my #artwork and the answer is a resounding YES! They are sooo useful! I absolutely recommend using reference photos to enhance your realistic artwork. Why? Because our imaginations and memories are unreliable, but a photo allows us to study it and use our artist's eye to see all those little nuances that we missed at first glance.
Can I use just any photo that I find?
Not if you intend to sell the artwork. Remember: photos, just like artwork, are copyrighted property of the originator. In this case, that would be the photographer. You can always approach a photographer and ask for their express permission to use their photo as a reference for your artwork. Some photographers are thrilled at the prospect, others not so much. But, you have to ask and you have to get permission to use copyrighted photos for reference.
A way to get around having to approach someone directly is to either take your own reference photos or find royalty-free image sites from which to use photos. On royalty-free sites, the photographer has already given permission to everyone to use the photos however they like. This is a fast way to find #quality #images that you can use as a reference in your artwork without having to approach anyone directly. They also often have search engines in which you can search the specific subject that you want to paint or draw and also galleries for browsing, if you're just looking for inspiration.
A few of my favorite royalty-free image sites are:
http://www.pexels.com
http://www.pixabay.com
http://www.morguefile.com
Sometimes, photographers want a credit in exchange for using their photo. Just be sure to find out that information before you get started. Remember: you can use ANY photo if you're just using it for practice and you have no intention to sell the artwork. So, for instance, if your friend's favorite celebrity is Mr. X and you draw Mr. X off of a professional head shot that you found on Google and give it to said friend for their birthday, that's okay! However, if you want to sell your artwork, you need to make sure that you've received permission to use the photo or photos that you've used for reference to create that piece of art.
Happy photo hunting and keep creating!! :)
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