Many people use reference images to draw from and there are as many photos out there as there are people. But what do you need to look for when choosing an image to draw?

1. Choose something that you like. Drawing something that pleases you will help enormously and give you a sense of satisfaction. If it is a commissioned piece, that isn't always possible, but if you're doing this for practice then make sure you choose something that you will enjoy doing. You'll be looking at it for a long time.

2. Make sure the photo is NO SMALLER than 5 x 7. Personally I won't work from anything smaller than 8 x 10 and have it scanned so that I can enlarge it on my computer screen to see details. It is nearly impossible to work with a tiny photo as you can't see detail or tone correctly, especially in a portrait.

3. Ensure that the photograph is high definition. No fuzzy family holiday snapshots please. They'll drive you insane trying to figure out detail and you will never achieve a good likeness without seeing details.

4. Convert to grayscale to see tonal values. Whether you're working in colour or shades of gray, convert your image to grayscale which will allow you to see the depth of tone that you need to achieve to get a realistic rendering. Most graphic programs have the capability to remove colour and leave you with grays.

5. Choose a simple, uncluttered image. If you want to draw from a photograph you need it to focus on one area or if you have it scanned, to crop out all extra detail and concentrate on one thing. Photos that have too much information in them may be fine for painting sweeps of colour, but aren't good to draw from.

6. Make sure your reference photo is not copyrighted material. Either use your own photographs or if you use those you find in other forums or on the internet, ensure that you ask permission first before you post it or draw it and if permission is given, quote the photographer and source of the image. Don't use celebrity images to draw and post without permission. If in doubt, ask.

7. Choose an image with good contrast lighting. Photographs that are taken with a flash virtually eliminate all shadows from the face by lighting up everything and make it very difficult to draw as everything is flattened. Choose photos taken in natural light with strong constrasts that allow good modelling of features.

Jeanette,
I've been listening to you on this subject and I agree totally. My question is, how do you ignore those adorable pictures that are never, never perfect but you oh-h so want to draw them? Where do you get an 8x10 or even a 5x7 all my pictures are 4x6 except school pictures. Which, other than this year, are barely worth buying because they are so horrible. I have drawn a couple of pictures from photos and I can pick out where I am going wrong (other than inexperience), things like confused light sources and flat looking because of flashes. So with the little experience that I have I can already tell that you are right about this, but what is a girl to do?
Paulette

You can't ignore them and they are great for sketches but rarely make good finished drawings unless you are willing to be creative and rearrange light sources and have additional images to work with that provide detail.

I know not everyone can print off 8 x 10 photos on their computer, so I often draw directly from the screen. That way I can also enlarge portions to try to get details from those less than perfect images that people often provide when they commission a drawing.

I know the frustration in doing that Paulette and having an oh-so-cute image that you're dying to draw. And your mention of contrast and front flash made me realize that I forgot that point entirely! Thank you!! I'll add it now.