
Every artist, that loves to draw or paint sooner or later needs maybe some reference photos, and a lot of those artists make one major mistake. They go to Google they type for example “Rose” and Bamm, Roses are blooming on Google.
Of course, they pick one or more from the big Google garden and they believe they didn’t do anything wrong.
After they create a replica of that image with painting or drawing they claim ownership over that artwork, and you got an email. Copyright problem.
Photographers of those images mostly set some kind of license terms, and probably that Rose from the garden has a license term. If a photographer sets that this is not a creative commons license in which you are allowed to use for your work, then you are in trouble.
So I advise you to check before you do any kind of download from Google or other search engines because you probably will break a law.
But I will not write about licenses and which kind exists, if you wish to know more about each license you can go to http://creativecommons.org/licenses/?lang=en and learn everything about each one and you will get all information from first hand.
But I will tell you about what I will write, I will write about sources of images and where you can find free reference images for download, and use them without a fear that you will you’ll get a lawsuit. This is a list of websites that I find surfing around the art community and sometimes I have just stumbled on them by accident.
Table of Contents
What is a art reference photo?
A art reference photo is like a map to show you where you are going. A art reference photo is any photo that provides an idea of the feeling or color schemes that will be used for an art project. For instance, a landscape can be a source of reference photos for a particular look.
It is a good idea to have a reference because it can help the artist make sure that what they are drawing, sculpting, or painting looks like the object they are trying to replicate.
Artists mostly search for wildlife reference websites, landscape reference websites, and the most popular pose reference websites. I have covered most of them in this list, but I have plan to expand this list even more. Stay tuned!
Free Art Reference Photo Websites
For the budding artist, the internet is full of resources to help you hone your craft. The most important part about being an artist is to keep practicing. There are plenty of free sites that can aid with this! Here are some of my favorite free reference websites for artists:
Premium Art Reference Websites
Frequently asked questions
Can I use royalty-free images in my art?
Yes, you can indeed use them in your art! They are an excellent resource to use when you are looking for inspiration or, even if you already have created a painting or drawing and you want to add models to the scene.
Which images are copyright-free?
Copyright-free images are ones that you can use, copy, edit, and share because there are no copyright restrictions in place to prevent you from doing so. Copyright is a legal right that an author or artist has to make sure people don’t steal their work. Copyrighted images often have a “copyright” or “©” symbol attached to them to show
that they are not free for public use.
What images can I use for commercial use?
Commercial use is a term that generally refers to any type of use that generates income or profit. More specifically, the term commercial use refers to the use of ideas, images, and other content in ways such as advertising and marketing for profit.
Generally speaking, there are certain types of photos that can be used for commercial purposes with few restrictions. One example is stock photography. Stock photography is a broad category of images composed of both amateur and professional photographs.
Does altering an image avoid copyright?
The short answer to this question is “no.” Altering an image does not avoid copyright. Copyright law grants the photographer or artist the right to exclude others from copying or using their work for a specific period of time.
This means that altering an image does not eliminate the original creator’s rights, but it usually makes the original creator’s work unusable. This is because alterations typically cover up any identifying marks on the photo that might lead back to the original source.
How can I use a photo legally?
In order for a photo to be used legally, one of the following must be true:
-The person who took the photo owns the copyright to it and is therefore able to give permission.
A photographer can use an image of you which they have taken without your permission because they own the copyright.
-The person who took the photo gave their consent for it to be used. The person in question might not always give permission so it would be wise to ask first.
How do artists avoid copyright?
Is tracing art bad?
Tracing is when you put a piece of paper over an original picture and then draw. Tracing is not bad, but it’s not the same as original art because the person who created the original picture didn’t draw it.
What is a reference photo?
A reference phots is like a map to show you where you are going. A reference photo is any photo that provides an idea of the feeling or color schemes that will be used for a project. For instance, a landscape can be a source of reference photos for a particular look.
Is reference drawing cheating?
An artist will often use a reference drawing in order to make their work seem more authentic. A reference drawing is not cheating, it is simply a means to help the artist create something which looks realistic.
For example, if an artist wanted to paint a realistic looking bird, they might look at pictures of birds and then draw the bird in pencil before painting in color. Using reference drawings can be helpful when painting portraits too.
Can you use someone else’s art as a reference?
One can use another’s artwork as a reference if they have given permission for the work to be used. One could also use a photograph of the painting, but it would be best to find an image with no copyright restrictions so that one does not violate any copyright laws. It is important that the artist is credited in all cases of using copyrighted work as a reference.
How do you reference a picture for drawing?
When referencing a picture for drawing, you should give credit to its artist, provide an accurate description of the work, and state the date it was created.
How do I find good art references?
To find good art references, you should look at what other artists have done. You might look at the colors that they use, the things that they draw, and the way that they draw things to see if you can borrow their style. Another place to look is books about drawing and painting.
Is it OK to draw from photos?
Do you know how to draw a tree with a pencil? Well, drawing from a photo is just like that. It’s when someone draws something from a photo they took or saw in a magazine rather than from their imagination.
Can I use copyrighted images in art?
The use of copyrighted images in art is a tricky and complicated topic. Copyrighted images are protected by law, meaning that artists cannot profit off of someone else’s work without permission. This can include using images in paintings, drawings, or any type of art.
How artists can use photos for inspiration without violating copyright?
Artists who use photographs as inspiration for their own work could be violating copyright laws if they use the photo without permission or credit. It’s important to remember to give credit and/or acknowledge the photographer, and make sure that you are not infringing on any copyrights.
Do professional illustrators use references?
A professional illustrator will usually use references to assure authenticity in their illustrations. Many times, these reference materials may be photos, paintings, architectural drawings, or other sketches from the period being illustrated.
Can I draw a picture of a celebrity and sell it?
Copyright laws protect visual artworks. If you draw a picture of a celebrity, you are infringing on their copyright regardless of whether or not they are in it. You would be violating the law regardless of what you intend to do with it. Furthermore, even if the person is in the artwork for “aesthetic” purposes only, they still own the copyrights to their likeness and could sue you for damages.
Can you use stock photos for art reference?
Stock images, or stock photos, are a type of commercial photography that is created and distributed by many different businesses. So long as the photo isn’t altered, it can be used for inspiration in art such as photography and painting.
Most often, these photos are royalty-free images created by professional photographers to be used for advertising and other commercial purposes.
Is it illegal to use reference photos?
The use of reference photos is governed by federal law, which prohibits the copying of another person’s work without their permission. Copyright law protects such work and requires that it be appropriately credited to the original author.
How do reference an image from a website?
To reference an image from a website, you would include the url in parentheses after the title of the image. You can also include the word “figure” or “fig.” before the url if it is an illustration, diagram, chart, graph, map, or something else that cannot be read online. For example: (The figure shows broken earthworms. https://www.google.com/search