Blog
Choosing a Good Reference Photo for your Commission
28/07/2024
When an artist is producing a commission from a reference photo, the quality of the photo is key to producing a good painting or drawing.
Here are some things to think about when choosing or taking a reference photo:
Rather obviously, do not use a photo that is out of focus or that is very small and will be out of focus when the image is expanded.
Do not use photos that are distorted in any way, for example, an odd reflection where is shouldn't be or a person or animal with red eyes.
Lighting:
Your reference photo needs to be taken in good light - preferably outdoors. Too much light and the image will look washed out; not enough light and it will be dark. Both result in lack of contrast (light and shade) and colour, which may result in the artwork lacking depth.
Composition:
Think about what you want the artwork to look like. For example, if you have commissioned a portrait of your dog, do you want the focus to be the face, in which case you might just want a head and shoulders drawing/painting (see image 1, below),
or perhaps a close up of the face/head with the body showing just a little at the sides (see image 2, below).
If your dog is lying lengthways or sitting tall, the face/head will obviously be smaller and not the main focus (see image 3, below). Either is totally fine, just think about which you want.
Make sure there is nothing blocking the view, for example, a post or chair leg in front of your pet or a harness on your dog (unless of course you want the post or harness in the artwork). Also, make sure there are no parts missing, such as the edge of your pet off the side of the photo or the top of a person's head/hair cut off.
Of course an artist can do a great job of leaving bits out and making bits up but it does (and I'm speaking from experience) make their job more difficult. If you can send a reference photo as close to what you want the artwork to look like, it will greatly help the artist and you will be more likely to end up with a painting/drawing that you are totally happy with.
I hope you have found this helpful.
If you want to discuss commissioning a portrait (pet or person) you can message me here or you can email me at petportraitsbymarina@gmail.com
Here are some things to think about when choosing or taking a reference photo:
Rather obviously, do not use a photo that is out of focus or that is very small and will be out of focus when the image is expanded.
Do not use photos that are distorted in any way, for example, an odd reflection where is shouldn't be or a person or animal with red eyes.
Lighting:
Your reference photo needs to be taken in good light - preferably outdoors. Too much light and the image will look washed out; not enough light and it will be dark. Both result in lack of contrast (light and shade) and colour, which may result in the artwork lacking depth.
Composition:
Think about what you want the artwork to look like. For example, if you have commissioned a portrait of your dog, do you want the focus to be the face, in which case you might just want a head and shoulders drawing/painting (see image 1, below),
or perhaps a close up of the face/head with the body showing just a little at the sides (see image 2, below).
If your dog is lying lengthways or sitting tall, the face/head will obviously be smaller and not the main focus (see image 3, below). Either is totally fine, just think about which you want.
Make sure there is nothing blocking the view, for example, a post or chair leg in front of your pet or a harness on your dog (unless of course you want the post or harness in the artwork). Also, make sure there are no parts missing, such as the edge of your pet off the side of the photo or the top of a person's head/hair cut off.
Of course an artist can do a great job of leaving bits out and making bits up but it does (and I'm speaking from experience) make their job more difficult. If you can send a reference photo as close to what you want the artwork to look like, it will greatly help the artist and you will be more likely to end up with a painting/drawing that you are totally happy with.
I hope you have found this helpful.
If you want to discuss commissioning a portrait (pet or person) you can message me here or you can email me at petportraitsbymarina@gmail.com
