Photos bridge direct observation session
- In figure painting, direct observation is a must. I lose tremendous amounts of detail in photos, but I can still work from my own photos between modeling sessions. Photos are also a necessity if the subject is not a professional art model and cannot hold a pose. For landscapes, photos help me capture a fleeting weather or lighting change. Every photo is flat; my job is to put the life and volume back into the composition.
- —Laurelmurals
Yes, I paint from photos
- Yes, I like to use photos for reference, but don't alway put every object in the same place. I will look at numerous photos in my file or camera, but not really use any of them in the final piece. For a large mural I may have looked at dozens of pictures for inspiration, and then paint as I say "out of my head" That is my favorite way to create. After years of painting it's fun to use that artistic license. There are so many objects floating around in my brain, I don't always need to look at the actual photo to know what something looks like.
- —lolajmay
Sometimes I use photos
- I use photos for portraits, expecially when the person is deceased, or need a younger age portrait. For other subjects photos, real life, or from my imagination works well for me. If you know the mechanics of painting, such as color, perspective, depth, shapes, reflected light, warm and cool, etc., it seems to me photos should work for artist. I like "coffeemaiden's" comment "If you love to paint from life, paint from life". The bottom line is knowing the basics of every aspect of painting or drawing. Practice is what it's all about. I learned to paint from photos or whatever image was available to me, sometimes from less than one inch pictures. Those tiny images made me use my imagination to the fullest. The more you paint from whatever source, the more you will know what works best for you. I always told my students, from age 5 to 90, PRACTICE, and look at everything out there in your world and see and remember what you saw!
- —lolajmay
There are no absolutes in art
- If you love to paint from life, paint from life. If you need the time that a photo can give you, use a photo. There are no "should" or "shouldn't" arguments in art. One person's approach is never the same as another and to tell someone that they are approaching it incorrectly means that perhaps the comment comes from a closed mind. I paint from both. I keep the life painting as it is and I don't mix my reference paintings into it. Painting from life gives you a good eye and helps to you learn to see things as they are... deal with changing light, etc. BUT, what #if your images of choice cannot be represented completely by a life drawing? Do you not then use a photo or other reference? Of course you do! The only thing I stick to in principle is not ripping off images from other people, or if there is something I really like, I ask or try to recreate it myself. Art is subjective. People are fickle. Just keep creating and do what makes you happy.
- —coffeemaiden
Like a Dictionary
- I use photos kind of as a dictionary. I paint rather realistically, so some things you better get right -- like steam engines! And if you put a number on the engine, it has to be that engine! Rarely do I paint just the photo itself. I sense that often what makes a good photo doesn't make a good painting -- the expression/emotion is different. Photos for painters are like a spoon that beats the batter, but not the finished product.
- —Guest Lois B Jung
Proportions and distortions
- This is a subject, and argument; I have all the time with other artists and students. So often people assume any rectangular canvas can translate directly any rectangular photo. The proportions of an 8x10 photo are completely different from a 5x7, etc. I have student all the time come in and complain that the photo/canvas translation does not fit or work out. So we have fun with the proportion wheel, and talk about editing and redistributing elements in the photo. I find this a good teaching tool for composition and editing.
- —StarrpointHost01
Painting from Own Photos
- I paint from my own photos -- because the subject inspired me, and because I framed it for reference. It's easy to enlarge it before cropping it for composition. So much better, for me, to have chosen the scene in light and shadows that pleased me. The downside is that some photos can't be improved upon.
- —Guest Patricia Carlson
Never an entire photo
- I have no trouble painting from individual elements in numerous photos, but to use the entire photo as my painting... that I never do. I'll go online to see 20, 30 even 50 photographs of what a particular thing looks like. For instance the bark of a tree. A birch tree in sunrise light looks different than in noonday light. So I will research such a thing in multiple lights to "get a feel for it" in my mind. I mostly use my own photographs simply because I don't want to be accused of stealing somebody else's work. The mural in progress on my wall is a combination of feelings I got when in Ireland and in the UP of Michigan. And yet a woman from England who saw it said it made her think of England. I go for the feeling rather than the copying of a particular scene. I do not see it as cheating to use photographs, especially when a person, like me, may be handicapped and not able to travel to go to actually see certain objects.
- —Theresa_Foley_Henderson
Simply put -- yes
- I have a 'good eye' for photography, and will use my photos for reference material; sometimes for a complete painting. I think having a good reference library is important to any kind of artist. My references are not limited to just my photographs; if I see something I like -- I put it in my notebook which is broken into various categories. I also keep my little sketches, doodles, illustrations, etc. in my notebook. All of these serve as good memory 'joggers' for those of us getting a little older and a little forgetful. I am always amazed when I go back through pages and pages of pictures; many times it brings back the flood of ideas I had for paintings.
- —lisawhistlersmith
Using photos when painting
- When planning a painting I will take as many photos as I can. I don't try to copy any of them but instead use them to compose a painting the way I want it taking a part from this one or another part from that one. I'll usually end up working from a half dozen different photo's of my subject. Mostly I'm painting from memory and using the photos to refresh scenes in my mind that have occurred many years ago. I believe photos are a valid tool and if I'm fortunate enough to have them I'll use them. I think it could be equated with a director using a script but putting his/her own spin on what was written to produce the scene possibly not close to what the writer originally planned.
- —RichNorth
Rules, Rules, Rules
- I think that any art instructor who sets rules for students that begin with the word "never" or "always" needs to be careful. Artists are generally individualists and should not be deemed a failure if they leave the well traveled path of the masters. Photographs were not available to many of the artists we revere, but that doesn't mean they can't be used today by serious painters as reference tools or inspiration. Of course, artists may use them differently and some may feel satisfaction with their work while others don't. This is part of the artistic process of learning. However, copying verbatim a photo (or painting) that does not belong to you and trying to sell the results may be considered plagiarism. Enough said.
- —Guest Painter
Sure do use photos
- In the 90s I took nine semesters of Photoshop classes. So I start with a photo and then play with it and get something that I like before I go to the next step. Sometimes it's a combo of photos, sometime just a piece of a photo. But I've always adjusted the color and orientation. And yes, it's always my photography or my husband's photography.
- —Guest dsscha
I use photos
- I use photos because I'm just starting out; I have a lot of photos; and I'm still kind of hiding out in my studio, lack of confidence. I happen to have a lot of photos of people and places, and that's been helpful. On the other hand, I find that many of the photos are not right to paint from; the light is unhelpful. Taking photos specifically as references for painting seems a natural way to go and just as creative. This is my intention as I go further along.
- —mantaicd
Yes, I Paint from Photos
- Yes I also use reference photos to paint from. As I take several photos to study my subject especially animals and things in different seasons. For examples deer has different coat length and colours depending on the time of season and same with their antlers. I use photos to inspire me; just like cooking I look at recipes then go to the kitchen and make my own receipt to my specific taste buds. If I do a replica, then I sign it as a study and write the name of the person that originally did that piece, for I was thought that it is illegal to steal the essences of someone else’s piece. Sincerely, Lise King www.kingsframingandartgallery.com
- —KingsFramingandArtGallery
Ok to paint from photos
- My opinion is that painting from photos is OK, all the better if using them as just reference. The thing is, I would only paint from my own photos, so the composition is how I like it, I am the greatest cropper of photos in the world so I only show what I want. Ttherefore my paintings from photos are pretty much what the photo is. I agree that why paint something you already have well portrayed in a photo, but sometimes the quality on a photo can be poor, that justifies making a painting. Another reason is it gives us amateurs a lot of practice with different atmosphere's. I have painted 'plein air' and really enjoyed it, but it is such a hassle.
- —clickergayle
Composition from Photos
- I use the photos for color references. I try to reposition some items or add/subtract objects if they don't comply with proper composition rules.
- —Guest GlowGal
Painting from Own Photos
- Well, personally I'm painting from my own photos. I think that if you are the one taking the picture(s) then you are creating an artist composition. I've painted from life as well but sometimes time does not permit so photos are helpful. One can always take artist license with editing what gets painted or what colors are used as well.
- —GAINESS
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