A collection of photographs and illustrations for you to refer to when you're painting, from sunsets for landscapes to hands for figure painting.
Find out where you can obtain free reference photos that you can use in your paintings.
Is it okay to alter a scene in a reference photo when you paint it, or not?
Turning a single photo into a painting won’t make you a good artist, ever.
If you're finding the paintings you're making from reference photographs aren't working, it may be because you're not taking enough photographs.
If you have a reference photo that might make a nice painting with a few changes, using a photo editing program is an easy way to get an idea of what the final painting would look like.
What are the terms of use of the artist's reference photos that can be found on the Painting section of About.com?
If you're looking for painting ideas or abstract art inspiration, this collection of photos, and explanations of ideas developed, is the place to start.
From beautiful butterflies to mysterious mantises, the variety of insects and creepy-crawlies is astounding. Use this collection of reference photos for inspiration and observing the details.
A collection of photos of cats for artists to use as reference in paintings.
A collection of cheetah photos for artists to use as reference in paintings.
Ever changing, clouds merit a painting of their own, not being merely an element in a landscape. Use this collection of reference photos of clouds for inspiration.
A collection of flower photos for artists to use as reference in paintings.
One look at Monet's gardens and waterlily pond at Giverney, near Paris, and you'll also be wanting to paint the lilies and reflections.
Reference photos for artists: photographs of landscapes to use for inspiration and reference in your paintings and artwork.
Photographs of lions to use for inspiration and reference when painting.
Want to paint seascapes or waves? Use this collection of beautiful photos for inspiration and reference.
Looking for reference photos of sheep and lambs to use in a painting? Here is a collection of reference photos for inspiration and observing the details.
A collection of reference photos of various still life objects and set up, that you're free to use to paint from, or for inspiration.
A collection of glorious sunsets and sunrises to use for inspiration and reference in your paintings.
Brrrr, get ready to feel the cold with this collection of snowy landscape reference photos!
Looking for textures or details to add to a painting? Use this collection reference photos for artists for inspiration.
A collection of free tree reference photos for artists to use in their paintings.
A collection of reference photos of barns for you to use when painting.
Venice is a city made for artists, as this collection of reference photos from Venice showing the city's colours shows.
Venice is an inspiring city for artists and provides plenty of opportunities for plein-air painting, as these photos show.
Want to paint a zebra? Use this collection of photos of zebras, both individual animals and groups, for reference.
Find inspiration for painting your own Christmas cards from this collection of Christmas reference photos.
Why were there red penguins in Venice and who put them there? It's all to do with installation art...
A few tips on taking reference photographs for use in your paintings.
You've got your new digital camera and you're heading out with it to take reference photos. Have you thought about whether or not there are things you're not allowed to photograph? This guide (written by a lawyer) explains the situation in America.
A great variety of clear, black-and-white photos of hands in all kinds of gestures and poses. Click on a photo to get a larger picture.
Some helpful tips on how to fix or improve your digital photos of your paintings with a photo-editing program.
These reference photos of an amusement park were taken for a Painting Forum project to paint some summer fun in the sun. The shapes and colors lend themselves to painting.
