Watercolor Tips Ep. #3: Where to Find Good Reference Images (Patreon)

When designing my compositions, I often dive into a variety of reference images, experimenting with different elements and combinations to create the perfect visual impact. While personal photos have their unique charm, not every subject is easily accessible in our everyday surroundings. Living in Canada, I can only capture my favorite flowers for a few short months during the summer. For the rest of the year, I rely on other sources for inspiration. In today’s edition of Tuesday Tip, I’m excited to share some of my go-to databases for copyright-free images to help spark your creativity. Plus, I’ll be introducing a new feature—sharing my own favorite photos for inspiration, thanks to Marilise for the great idea!

My Favorite Database

Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/): This website offers an incredible collection of high-quality, royalty-free images across genres like landscapes, architecture, and portraiture. One of the best features is the ability to save your favorite images, making it easy to return and use them as references later. I particularly enjoy browsing their curated collections, especially “Animals” and “Nature.” Another great tip is to follow individual artists’ collections. Many photographers offer multiple images of the same subject from different angles, which is incredibly helpful for studying the anatomy of flowers, birds, and more.

A hidden gem within Unsplash is the New York Public Library archive (https://unsplash.com/@nypl), which I absolutely love. It contains historical photos that can be a fantastic source of inspiration, offering a unique glimpse into the past. I love using their flower studies for inspiration - most recently the Cyclamen flower that we used in the “X-Ray Watercolor Technique” tutorial.

Other Great Resources

1. Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/): Another excellent platform for free, royalty-free images, particularly great for nature and wildlife paintings.

2. Wildlife Reference Photos for Artists (https://wildlifereferencephotos.com): A family-run website offering a vast, searchable database of affordable royalty-free wildlife photos. It's perfect for artists looking for detailed animal references.

3. Biodiversity Heritage Library (https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/): This online repository is a treasure trove for botanical artists, featuring an extensive collection of vintage botanical illustrations and scientific drawings.

4. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Open Access (https://www.metmuseum.org/): This initiative provides free access to thousands of artworks from the Met’s collection, making it a wonderful resource for historical references and figurative studies.

5. Quickposes (https://quickposes.com): A fantastic tool for figure studies, offering a wide range of poses to practice and improve your drawing skills.

Personal Reference Photos

One of the most rewarding ways to gather reference images is by taking your own photos. Whether it's a breathtaking landscape, a carefully arranged still life, or a portrait of a loved one, your personal photos carry the authenticity and emotional connection that can truly elevate your artwork. I primarily use my phone to capture these moments, organizing them into specific libraries that I can easily revisit whenever needed. Recently, one of my patrons asked me to share my reference library, and I thought, why not? Starting today, I’ll be uploading some of my favorite references, beginning with my most recent collection of fall flowers taken during my daily neighborhood walks.

*And if you follow me on Instagram, you know I also regularly snap pictures of the local skunk who seems to think we’re friends now (I promise, we’re not). Don’t worry, I won’t be painting him or sharing his references—mostly because I’m a little scared of him!

Stay tuned for these and more as I continue to share sources of inspiration to fuel your creative journey!