10 Ways to See Your Photo References
Master the Art of Seeing and Judging Photo References with These Proven Techniques.
1. Consider zooming in and use black and white filter. If you're using digital photo references, zoom in closer to observe details and values more clearly.
2. Inspect the lighting. Ensure proper lighting when viewing the photo, as it helps reveal shadows, highlights, and textures. Especially when working with portraits.
3. Apply the grid method. Use a grid overlay on the photo and your drawing surface to help with proportion and accuracy. Utilize the grid on your paper lightly. Number each square to identify blocks.
4. Use a pencil or any straight object to compare and measure proportions between different parts of the reference and your drawing.
5. Try sight size, a technique where the subject and the drawing are observed at the same size from a fixed viewing point. Not to be confused with the Bargue method.
6. The Bargue method, named after Charles Bargue, involves copying aa series of plates to improve observational drawing skills, focusing on capturing the details, values, and proportions with precision.
As mentioned previously, the sight size method is a technique where the subject and the drawing are observed at the same size from a fixed viewing point. This method helps artists capture proportions and relationships between subject and drawing by positioning the easel or surface parallel to the subject and stepping back to observe from a distance.
While they can be used together, these methods have different approaches and goals in the drawing process.
7. Squinting your eyes while looking at the reference or the model can help you see the overall values and tones more clearly in 2D, flat.
8. Flip the photo or your drawing upside down to see shapes and lines from a fresh perspective.
9. Look at the negative space. Pay attention to the negative space around the subject. It can aid in achieving accurate proportions. Let's have a look at the Notan method below.
10. The Notan method is a drawing technique that focuses on capturing the interplay between light and dark values in an image, or a anything. The term 'notan' originates from the Japanese word for 'light and dark harmony'. This approach simplifies a composition into a 2D space, black and white or light and dark.
It's useful to create a balanced and simplified arrangement of positive and negative shapes. Particularly helpful in understanding the underlying structure and balance of a composition. Concept artists employ the technique all the time, evidently seen in their thumbnail sketches. it allows you to emphasize the essential elements while minimizing distractions.
This is my take, with essential points. Regularly experimenting with different techniques and challenging yourself with diverse subjects will help you develop a better understanding of photo references.
A full and detailed analysis is available on Patreon.