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Painting from a Photo
29/08/2025
Finding your own inspiration
If you're looking for inspiration, the internet is an obvious choice, as it's overflowing with images. I'll be talking more about Pinterest and other "image sources" in a future post, where I'll share which sites offer royalty-free and ethically usable photos.
However, the best approach is to find and document your subjects yourself. Our phones and their cameras are always with us now—so keep your eyes open, whether you're out in nature or walking through the city. (By the way, it's also an excellent mindfulness exercise!)
Photograph everything that catches your eye! Don't worry about whether it will be the most "epic" shot. It could be a tiny flower growing between stones—anything can be a great subject for a painting. Here are a few practical tips for taking photos that will make your work much easier later:
Mind your composition: For example, if you plan to paint on a square canvas, change your camera settings to a square aspect ratio. This way, you'll capture the image in the correct format from the start.
Use the grid: Check if your camera has a setting to display the Rule of Thirds grid. This helps you align the horizon line and key elements perfectly. If you have it, use it—you'll thank yourself later!
Analyze before you start: Before you begin the painting, take a close look at the photo. What caught your attention? Was it the colors, the composition, the lighting, or the mood? Identify your favorite parts because these are what you'll want to emphasize in your artwork.
Sketching: Create thumbnail sketches to find the best composition. I like to draw these in a separate sketchbook so I can look back at them later for inspiration—I learn a lot about how compositions work this way. Others prefer using loose sheets of paper. Every method is valid; try them out to see which works best for you!