Choosing the Right…

Photo Reference for a Painting

As an artist, reference photos are invaluable tools for creating paintings. But not all photos make good painting references. A blurry, poorly composed photo will lead to a blurry, poorly composed painting. As the saying goes, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

When selecting a photo to use as a reference, keep these key things in mind:

• Focus – Make sure the main subject is sharply focused. If it's blurry in the photo, it will look blurry in your painting.
• Lighting – Look for photos with good contrast between highlights and shadows. Dramatic lighting creates visual interest. Avoid flat, shadowless lighting.
• Composition – Choose photos where the main subject grabs your attention. Watch out for cluttered backgrounds that distract the eye. As artists, we want to look for things to leave out of the photo that don't ruin the overall effect. We are not historians but artists aiming to simplify.
• Viewpoint – Pick a photo taken from an exciting vantage point, not just a basic head-on angle. Unique perspectives make for more engaging paintings.
• Color – Vibrant colors translate into vibrant paintings. Drab, washed-out photos will lead to drab paintings. For contrast, view the photo in black and white. Strong contrast stands out even without color.
• Style – Match the style of the photo to your painting style. A tight close-up may suit a realistic portrait. An expansive landscape calls for a wider shot.
• Still Life/Landscape – Look for bold, simple compositions with few complex details to get lost in.

Now, for examples of references that would need a lot of help before being used in a painting. The following two fall into that category!

Remember, the painting process is much easier with the correct reference photo. You can focus on bringing the image to life rather than struggling with flawed source material. But a photo that disregards the rules of good design will trip you up each step of the way. The old adage holds true – start with a good foundation, and you can create something beautiful.

Choose your photo references wisely!

Ginger Cook
Professional Acrylic Artist and Educator of Acrylic Painting