When I started doing visual arts, I thought that it meant I could draw anything in any pose and all I needed was the picture. I thought that artists who specialized in realism were so good they could replicate anything they wanted and it would look good all the time. This is a misconception people have and I had this for a long time until my frustration with my flat looking paintings drove me to find answers that could fix the problem.

Photo by adrianna geo on Unsplash

So I started learning about the concept of a 'good reference photo' and that many artists who do commissions have a lot of reference photos of a person to be able to decide which one would be rendered in a more interesting way. This is knowledge I feel everyone should have because for clients who just bring any picture and expect magic to happen, it can very well lead to frustration for the artist who has to explain why the picture is terrible.

So what makes a picture a good one for art? Apart from it needing to be a high resolution picture, that is not grainy or with blurred out features crucial for rendering, it has to have sufficient highlights and contrasts. A photo with a visible contrast that you can map out with a pen during a study, makes it easier on the eyes.

The human mind likes calm and if you have light bouncing all over the place on a portrait, a viewer would not be able to focus and enjoy the piece. A cohesive one guides your eyes naturally to focal points on a painting. The effect of shadows and highlights also creates depth and that 3d effect that makes a painting exciting and close to touch. Unless you're aiming for a flat art style(more 2d and cartoony), then this is the only way to go.

Another thing to look for is an interesting pose, an interesting look and unconventional features. If you're not doing a commission where you strictly have to render a person's features as prescribed, you know that you have to look for reference photos on Pinterest or other sources to get an idea of what sketches you will be drawing. I have listened to an artist say 'don't draw ugly people' and while that is quite harsh to say and even though we see beauty in everything, the fun part about art for me is in exaggerating feature, in beautifying and accentuating things that are generally admired. Things like doe eyes, luscious lips and a glossy skin. Also, symmetry! It is art after all and you have the opportunity to create something beyond reality, something fantastical and magical in every sense with only no restraint except the one you put on your imagination.

These days, I love to look for models with a lot of interesting makeup and a glow to their skin. I also like interesting pieces of jewelry, nothing too intricate because I get bored of that. This of course in subject to change because as an artist you grow each time you make a piece of art.

Also, it is important to look for colors that speak to you. I've discovered that once I get inspired by a color palette, the thought of what the final image would look keeps me motivated till the end. If I'm not eager about it, I most likely will paint something that leaves nothing of my heart in it. For me, I love a lot of red in a piece. It fires me up and I generally look for bright color palettes for inspiration. Muddy colors don't look good, so find what inspires you and paint around it.

These are just some of the general things I abide by. If you have other rules you keep for yourself, I'll be happy to know them, so feel free to share in the comments section.