How To Best Use Reference Photos For Painting

In the art world, painting from life is often held up as the gold standard—and for good reason. When you paint directly from observation, you maintain control over composition, color, and value in a way that cameras simply can’t replicate. But let’s be real: painting from life isn’t always accessible. Not everyone has the time, energy, or physical ability to haul an easel into the wilderness or set up a still-life every time they want to paint.

That’s where reference photos come in. While they have their limitations—cropping choices, compressed values, and sometimes duller colors—you can use them effectively to create paintings that feel just as alive as something painted from direct observation. This video is all about how to bridge the gap between painting from life and painting from photos, using a trip I took to Big Bend as an example.

Tips for Using Reference Photos More Effectively

1. Be Intentional About Cropping

Cameras make compositional decisions for you by cropping your view. Instead of being boxed in by that, lean into it! Take multiple photos from different angles and stitch them together digitally (using apps like Photoshop or Procreate) to create a more expansive, dynamic reference, similar to how David Hockney’s photographic combines work.

2. Take Notes on Color and Value

A camera’s auto-adjustments often mute colors and compress value ranges. One way to counteract this is by making notes while observing your subject in person. Use a notes app to jot down dominant colors in color-coordinated language (e.g., “a warm, low-intensity orange as the dominant color”) and describe how light and shadow actually appear in the scene.

3. Edit Your Photos in the Moment

If possible, sit in front of your subject and adjust your photo’s saturation, contrast, and exposure in real-time to better match what you’re seeing. This ensures your reference image captures the closest possible representation of reality before you even start painting.

4. Do a Small Study on Location

Even a quick value sketch, color study, or tiny plein air painting can serve as a crucial bridge between your memory and the reference photo. Later, when you’re back in the studio, you can print these studies and keep them next to your photo reference to cross-check colors and values as you paint.

5. Treat Photography as Its Own Practice

Instead of just snapping quick reference shots, think of photography as a skill worth developing. Taking more intentional, well-composed, well-exposed photos will give you better references, making the transition from photo to painting much easier.

The Balance Between Life and Photo Reference

I’ve painted both ways—extensively from life in college, and now with a mix of plein air and photo references in my practice. While painting from life has its advantages, reference photos are a vital tool for making painting more accessible. If you want to deepen your skills, check out my plein air painting course at Outsider Art School, where you’ll get lifetime access to lessons, feedback, and community support. You can also try my free seven-day painting boot camp to see if online learning works for you.

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