Seeing: Reference Photos

As I’m starting a new painting it’s important to me to have reference photos, especially when I can’t go out to see the real thing when I’m ready to work.  I keep reference files on my computer and print out the ones that I feel are pertinent to the design I’m creating.

I find my reference photos anytime I’m out with my camera or my smart phone.  It’s so handy to always have some means of catching a quick photo of a sunset, cloud formation, tree, scene, or bird attacking a snake in one incidence.  I also plan, or go looking for certain objects to photograph such as these examples of rust. I used these photos as reference when I was painting Dorothy Dent’s yellow truck and old barn.

rust 1

rust 1

rust 2

rust 3

 

 

rust 3

rust 3

 

 

old trucks

A Dorothy Dent design
A Dorothy Dent design

You don’t need an expensive camera, just get out there and have fun taking photos.

I also give my husband photo assignments.

Another good source of reference photos is Pinterest. I keep boards for subjects that I’m especially interested in but also for special projects such as the snow owls that you’ve seen mepaint.  I don’t copy the photos but use them for color or pattern reference possibly.  This is a great source of inspiration.  Look and learn.   Just remember to honor copyrights.

Now go take photos for reference.

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