How to pick a quality reference image

It’s tough finding a good image to draw from. There are so many low quality images out there that it’s like striking gold when I come across a really good photo!

Many things play a role into a good quality photo and it’s not just the lighting. Let’s dig right into some examples to show you what I mean.

Bad Reference Image

reference image, drawing, learn to draw, bad quality, good quality, colored pencils, cat drawing, dog drawing — Bad reference

No highlights in the eyes (reflections)
Picture was taken too far away, making the photo too blurry
Indoor lighting can give false coloring

Because this photo was taken indoors under low lighting, the colors look too flat and aren’t really his true colors. It was also taken further away, this forces me to zoom in to see details but unfortunately that also makes the picture more blurry even if the animal is sitting still.

Good reference Image

Can you tell the difference between the two photos? I can see a variety of colors everywhere because this image was taken in natural lighting. It was also taken much closer which gives the camera an opportunity to capture more detail. The most important part is that I can now see the direction of the fur, this is what helps to make the subject matter look realistic. Since there is one direction of lighting, there is good contrast which helps provide that 3D effect. The eyes are also lit up really well because the sun is actually in the right direction. What a different lighting can make?!

Posing

It’s not always about the lighting, posing is also important. If there is a leg that is in an odd direction or an ear that is blurry, it becomes much harder to draw a natural pose. Let’s look into some examples.

Bad posing

At first glance, this image looks great! The eyes are nice and detailed and the colors and beautiful! However, the ears are cropped which will make it much harder to finish with just your imagination. The cat’s head is also pushed back, giving a double chin look. It’s not flattering but some people are okay with it! Haha

With cats it can be hard to figure out where to stop drawing the neckline, this photo is not great for that because the neckline is too high up and she doesn’t look relaxed.

Good posing

I love this example because I can see all the detail I need. He’s facing forward which isn’t necessary but truly helpful for getting a clear shot of the face. He isn’t moving which helps to prevent blurry limbs. The ears are in awkward positions such as folded up. The neckline is perfect since he is relaxed in a sitting position.

Great poses can vary such as side profiles or full body portraits but if you are looking for a good full face reference image, this is what you should be looking for.

final thoughts

I really hope this blog was helpful to understanding what makes or breaks a quality reference image. It took me many commissions to realize that the quality of my drawing really depends on the quality of the picture. I started to ask my clients for better pictures and would show them what I’m looking for if they are struggling. Don’t be afraid to politely ask for more pictures if you aren’t comfortable with the ones you were given!

If you are interested in learning to draw check out the “learn to draw your own pet” program. It’s 8 weeks long but at your own pace. The best part is that it’s all online so you don’t have to go anywhere or speak with anyone. Click the link to read more.

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