10 Places to find reference photos for portraits and figures

This painting came from a blogger that I contacted and asked for permission

 A question I'm asked, and sometimes I'm the one asking...Where can you find good reference photos for paintings of figures and portraits? I've searched and taken notes and came up with this list, which I'm sure is not complete. One thing needs to be said, the best photos are your own, but sometimes that's not enough. 

1. DeviantArt There are some restrictions so read carefully for use. 

2. I like AdorkaStock (formerly known as SenshiStock)

3. You can also contact a photographer who may grant you permission to use their photo for a painting. I've done this several times, but I'd rather use my own. 

4. Facebook groups where other artists share their photos. 

5. Paint My Photo

6. Unsplash

7. Museum by Sktchy - an app for iPhone users. I haven't used it yet but it looks good.

8. Sketch Daily References  - Great for loosening up with quick poses

9. Croquis Cafe on YouTube 

10. Proko 

There are some restrictions so read carefully for use. 

This painting came from a photo of my daughter

The reference photo for this pose cam from SenshiStock. I added everything but the pose 

Like I mentioned, ideally it's best to use your own photos so you don't see another artist that used the same reference photo. That has happened to me at least three times now. Two of them are well known artists. All of the artists painted them years after mine, I'm sure without knowledge that mine existed. The problem now is that someone might think I copied the other artists because I'm not as well known. So in order for that to not happen to me again I'm being careful to find unique poses and use my own. 

Even better yet, the results from painting from a life model can't be matched. I did this in college for 2 semesters and there's no substitute. I also did quick gestures from a life model in my sculpting class, which was actually my favorite class I've had. Those were fun times and so invaluable in my art career. If you can take a Life Drawing class it's totally worth it. My professor, Fagan, was so awesome, I could have listened to him talk about art all day. Unfortunately, I'm not in school now. Maybe I'll look for something nearby.

So, I hope you enjoy this list I compiled. Leave a comment if you have more to add or anything else. I created this (took me all day!) so I could go back to it, but share it if you'd like! When I can figure out how to host a blog party, I would love to see you drawings! 

PS You may have noticed my blog looks "old school". I thought I needed to go back to the beginning so I could figure out the techie things. 

Until next time, Happy Painting

Merry Christmas! I'm still here...Jen Beaudet...Z

 Hi! It's Jen Beaudet aka Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan, J Beaudet, Jennifer Beaudet, Jennifer Lynn Beaudet, Jennifer Lynn Rutkoskie, J Beaudet Studios. Welcome to my new followers! 

My instagram is @JBeaudet_art  (I don't have many followers, so if you'd like to follow me I'd be so grateful!)

I've had a few names over the years but I'm still Jen...just Jen. If my name saga sounds old to you, imagine what it's like for me! It continues to pop up as a problem. Who knew another oil painter with the same exact name as me, would start showing up in 2018, after I had been selling on here for 10 years. I actually changed my name legally, to be different now. It doesn't seem to help. People get confused. I hope you know I've been painting and sharing my work since 2008 or even earlier if you count eBay. But, I started my Etsy shop JBeaudetStudios in 2009. If I sound like a broken record, it's just because I have painted a lot, and done so many commissions for you all, my name has been shared with my work around the world, all over the place and I just want you to know it's me...not the other person. 

New Floral Abstract

Ok, so if you're still with me, and not rolling your eyes...I have been up to some exciting things! I'm working as a full time artist again! And guess what? I'm selling more work than before. That's how it works. The more time and commitment the better the results. 

If you've been following me over the years, you may know I had some rocky roads. There was a time I was homeless, and thankfully my brother and friends, took me in. I had to make my way back into the world after being crushed by someone I trusted, and it took some time to heal. I can't say I've done it alone. I've had so much support from everyone. And...I must have done something nice to someone somewhere, because I was given a great gift to meet my loving, adorable husband. He is my greatest fan (maybe even more than my mom...). I'm so lucky! I'm proud to take his Dutch name, Zondervan. Soon, we will be traveling to his home in Holland! I can't wait! It's a dream come true! 

In the art world, I've been creating a new series of abstract florals, meeting new artists in town, showing my work in San Clemente, working on some art licensing deals, and more! 

Below is one of my first vintage woman paintings I did when I first started sharing my work. I think it was 2009. Julie from Being Ruby made my blog so beautiful and this was one of buttons. I have to say, I've messed up my blog since then...hoping to get it fixed but at least it's still here.

Next, is my latest floral abstract painting. I love this one! The colors are so dreamy! Speaking of dreams, this is how it came about. I actually had a dream of this painting. It was weird but I love how it came to life! Hopefully, another one will come to me tonight. 

Available on Etsy here...

I'm working on a wedding commission now but look for more florals soon! 

I've done several wedding commissions over the years and love doing them! I am a little obsessed with weddings so it's a perfect match. I have one client who has commissioned about 10 for different couples. 

She knows some pretty well known people so my paintings hang in some pretty awesome homes! 

I wish I could tell you who, but I only know one. I do other commissions too. Many of places you've visited like this one below! I love the opportunity to paint a beautiful memory to be cherished forever. 

Commission Me

If you'd like one for yourself, or to give as a wedding gift you can contact me on my etsy Jbeaudetstudios ,

My website Jbeaudetstudios

Thank you so much for all your support over the years! 

Hydrangea in pot loose painting

 

Available here 

I’m excited to share this new one with you all! It’s a 20x20 oil.

Sometimes things done come out how I want them to. That’s how life can be….however,  this wasn’t one of those days! I am so happy with this new oil painting and painting it was effortless. It was just me and my brush having fun. 

I’ve been working on staying focused this year and I think it’s starting to show. 

New Birthday Bouquet Pink Roses

 New Birthday Bouquet Pink Roses

available

Hi! I hope your day is going good. I just had the best birthday weekend celebration and wanted to share my little painting I did. My manager at work gave me these pink roses! They're from Trader Joe's of course. I might retake the photo when it's dry. Anyway, my husband and I have bday's 2 days apart, so it's a funfilled week (actually I celebrate the whole month!) We started off with a Kool and the Gang concert at the OC Fair! They were so awesome! Then we saw Saturday Night Fever play in Laguna and Nick's for dinner! That was my first time at Nick's and it won't be the last. The Chilean Sea Bass was so yummy!

Then yesterday we got together with the family, at Cocina Enoteca in Irvine, and had a wonderful meal with great people! I have an extra day off today but I think I better come back down to reality before going back to work tomorrow. 

I'm thrilled to say I sold this one yesterday! Yay! I had a plan to have a show at a craft fair so I've been accumulating lots of art. I'm not sure I'm going to now so it's time to start getting rid of the old to make room for some new! 

I took it down because I was going to change it and someone contacted me asking if I offered prints. So she bought the original! 

I'm currently planning some larger paintings (in my head...I don't even have them on paper yet!) 

It's Been Awhile...but I'm still painting!

 New Koi Fish with Pink Flowers

Available on Etsy

I will come up with a better name...it just takes time. This is one of my latest paintings. I've been painting much more but haven't had the time to get them all posted for sale. I hope you're enjoying your summer! This is my favorite time of year because it's July is my birthday month! I love everything about summer and this painting feels like summer to me. Hmmm...I think I came up with a series.

So many ideas and so little time. It's hard to find time for everything. Don't you think? One of the best things about being passionate about something is that you're never bored.

Anyway, I hope this quick post puts a smile on your face.

New Painted Lady in Blue! Paper mounted on board (revised)

 I haven't painted a figure in a while and was inspired by some exciting news! I don't know if I can share it yet, but it's about my daughter...This painting is from the news. I'm using acrylics on paper with layers of interesting marks. It's fun to explore new tools. I've recently been trying to transition all of my oil paints to water miscible because of the fumes and mess. They seem a little more expensive but I think it's worth it.

So, I painted this on paper using acrylics then mounted it onto a cradled hard wood. Here's a few pictures of how I did it. I watched a few YouTube videos before attempting it.

It started on a pad of mixed media paper...I had the edges taped so they would curl. I wasn't planning on this being a final painting otherwise I would probably have taped it onto another board the way watercolor paintings are done. This was just me having fun with paint. The color in this photo is more true to the original piece. I should retake the first one.

I brushed gel medium on the back of the artwork and on the top of the cradled board. You'll need to work quickly before it starts to dry. It can be repositioned a little after you put it down. 

I bought a brayer to roll over it. This gets any air bubbles out and presses the paper down firmly. 

I then placed a sheet of plastic wrap over it, then put a piece of scrap cardboard on top. (the video called for regular plastic but I didn't have any on hand. Plastic wrap is not the best to use because it clings to everything. It worked this time but I'll get some other plastic for next time) 

After that I placed a few paint cans to weigh it down, but you can really use anything heavy. Let it sit for 24 hours and then lightly sand the edges to make it flush. Seal again with the gel medium, varnish, or you could try cold wax. That's the next one I'm gong to try. 

On a side note...I noticed my blog photos are missing. It looks like I just started posting a few months ago. I'm not sure what happened. Google is changing things again. If you've noticed this on your blog please leave a comment about it. I'm not sure my followers are even seeing my blog. 

*update! I did it again...this painting has been reworked and it now longer available. I actually like the one below but revised it again and it has sold. 

I revised it again...

Sold

 

How to prevent this from happening...

Sunflower 11x14 SOLD

Hi all! I know all my blogs, websites, different names, have been a little confusing lately. I like to try different platforms to see what works best. I started doing this from the beginning, back in 2009. I created this blog, BeaudetArt, "My Life as a Starving Artist", which is now just Jen Beaudet Art. aka Jennifer Beaudet Artist and J Beaudet Studio (yes, I know...stay consistent, right?). My birth name is Jennifer Lynn Rutkoskie but I married a Beaudet, in 1993. I kept the name because I liked it, and it was my daughter's name. Now, I'm married to a Dutch man and took his name, Zondervan but I'm still artist Jen Beaudet Who's Passion Kept Her Going, just trying to sign a Z at the end of my new paintings. I may change that...

Impressionist Floral by Jennifer Beaudet SOLD

I also have a blog on Wordpress, "J Beaudet Studio" I never use that much but did create a website on Wordpress in 2015 which I failed to renew because I was going through a difficult time. That was Jen Beaudet Art. It was briefly taken over by a Swedish shoe company (this sounds like a comedy, doesn't it?), then strangely switched back to my profile picture, a few of my paintings, and some other images which weren't mine. I had no control over it and finally it's been taken down...for now. The stranger thing was it had contact information to the other Jen Lynn Beaudet from DC/Maryland. She is a relatively new artist (as far as I know she started sharing her work in 2018, and also oil paints a little similar to mine) She's not me and I'm not her. I'm sorry for the confusion. I have asked if she'd use another name but she won't. I don't blame her. It's just a weird situation that I believe has hurt my career but I keep going! Not giving up.

Birch Forest Aglow by Jennifer Beaudet from California 

So if you have any ideas of how to PREVENT this from happening to someone else, please feel free to comment here. I don't know what I could have done differently. And if this or something similar has happened to you I'd love to hear about it! I doubt anyone has had someone come along with the exact same name...even the middle name. And then they start using their middle name, which just makes it worse. We are different though, I'm left handed and a little older. My daughter is now 29 and I only have one! I've also been selling and sharing my art since 2009, and honestly, we do paint different. I feel I a little messier and expressive, with a bold use of color...but she is really good and blows me away how far she's come. So, if you read about this before sorry to talk about it again but many of you may not know. I was looking back on my viewers of this blog and I used to have 500 readers on my posts. Where did you go? Was it because of this name thing? I hope not.

And back to my blogs...my third blog...is on my new website JBeaudetStudios.com. This is where I post new available paintings and have a Newsletter which I'd love for you to sign up on! 

I sell through my Etsy shop JBeaudetStudios,  Jen Beaudet on Saatchi, Artsartistartwork.com, and Daily Paintworks as Jen Beaudet, and prints on Fine art America  since 2010.

Available here

Fresh Pink Peonies Painting and more...

 Fresh Pink Peonies Painting 

Available here

and a few other new ones for 2022

Available here

Available here

Available here

The Giveaway of an Original Painting is on!

 

The GiveAway on JBeaudetStudios.com is happening right now! Your choice! To see the three to choose from just sign up for my Newsletter! That's it, you're entered! Come back here and comment to let me know which one you like.

Good luck! 

I'm Giving Away an Original Painting! (not yet)

This is not the giveaway painting...but a commission I just finished! Click to get details for your own!

 Hi guys! I want to thank my loyal followers, who have been with me through all these years. As I think back on those years, there have been some really exciting moments like my solo show in Santa Barbara, my 3 paintings in Kincaid's, and being Trinity County's "unofficial" ARTIST of THE YEAR! Getting on ETSY's front-page, when I won the 15 Minute Conversation with Lori McNee, calendars and magazine covers, and every time someone purchases on of my paintings and prints. 

I started this blog (back then called "My Life As A Starving Artist" in 2009. I wanted to be a part of the Daily Painters Group and one of the requirements was you needed a blog to apply. I set up my blog and when I felt ready I applied. I wan't accepted, but that didn't stop me from painting daily and posting it. Something awesome happened! My blog was seen by some pretty big blogs and commented on by some major ones. Many blogs hosted giveaways of one of my prints. It was such a fun time and I started selling a lot! I've met so many interesting people a long the way and have had so much good feedback from influential artists and collectors. But it's each and everyone of you that touch my heart and keep me going. It's a funny thing how people you have never met can motivate me to create more! 

Here's a list of the blogs that posted about my art- blogs aren't as popular anymore so some of them aren't active. 

adaanddarcy.blogspot.com

Tish Jett

beachvintage.blogspot.com

BeingRuby.blogspot.com

BelleInspiration.com 

bluebirdnotes.blogspot.com

dahlhausart.blogspot.com

dailyvitaminsea.com

thedecoratingdiva.com

EnzieShahmiri.com

etsyfineartgallery.blogspot.com

frenchcharming.blogspot.com

GirlMeetsParis.blogspot.com

inotherwords-catania.blogspot.com

greenandpretty.net

ramblinggallivantinggirl.blogspot.com

SchlumanArt.blogspot.com

"So About What I Said" Melissa Blake 

sweetgalaxy.blogspot.com

Found Somewhere in Time

Foltbolt http://www.foltbolt.com/#!Jennifer-Beaudet/cy7d/56c59b340cf25df9371db96f

A lot has happened in my life over all these years, some not so good, but some really great things! My daughter is now a Nurse Practitioner with a masters in Nursing, working as a Psych NP! I'm so beyond proud of her! I moved to San Clemente, California from Northern California, so I'm back to my home at the beach! AND I got married to an amazing man! He's so supportive of my art and my biggest fan (it's a tie between my mom) My mom is in remission from stage 4 breast cancer and doing awesome!! We all live down here in Southern California and see each other whenever possible. Im' not able to paint as much recently because I work as a hairstylist. I started doing that after moving down to Ventura in 2016, It's been challenging but I do love it. I'm still painting on my days off and hoping to increase my painting days soon! I just finished 3 commissions in a row and am ready for the next! 

NEWSLETTER 

If you'r still reading this, I better tell you about the GIVEAWAY coming up! I'm going to have 3 original paintings to choose from, but only one winner. I'm announcing it on my Newsletter so make sure you have signed up to receive it! https://www.jbeaudetstudios.com/email-newsletter

Update- The winner was Laurie Haney. She chose the Laguna Beach painting! Thank you for all that entered and joined my email list!

Thank you for all your encouragement and support! 

Jen Beaudet Featured Artist

 Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan Featured Artist in Creatives Daily Presents!

original sold

Wow! What an honor to be featured in the new Creatives Daily Presents publication by Arthur Morehead. If you would like to check it out here's the link Jennifer Beaudet Fine Artist Feature. Arthur does so much for the art community. I met him through social media, years ago, and have always looked to him for marketing advice. He's a website guru! He and Mari-Lyn have teamed up for a Marketing Summit. You may know Mari-Lyn from her Facebook Marketing Group. She is truly a beautiful person who goes out of her way to help others. I am so lucky to have them on my team! 

In the studio...I finished a fall commission of a similar painting I had done in 2013. My dad had the painting, hung in his home office and I just got it back, after he passed away 2 years ago. I wasn't able to pick it up when his wife was going through his things. She was selling the house and put a box of his belongings on her porch for me to pick up. I'm 2 hours away and couldn't get it in time. My friend, who still lives where I grew up, was so nice to go pick up the box, and held it for me until I managed to get it. Actually, another friend bought it to me! Anyway, it's been a journey back to me but I'm happy to have it as a reminder of how my dad loved me. 

Available as a print

Here it is in my home (we have since changed the heater control!...it mysteriously stopped working right after this was taken. Now it's nice and new HaHa) 

After posting this painting on my instagram one of my best collectors (actually she is my best) contacted me to paint another similar painting of the same scene. I loved this spot in Trinity County so it was easy to do it again. Incidentally, this is also the painting that won a contest by Lori McNee. I won a fifteen minute phone call with her. It was a great conversation and her way of giving back. I gained a lot of followers and recognition from that. Thank you Lori! 

Here's the new one I did! Unfortunately, I didn't have my reference photo anymore. I had originally taken it on my phone and couldn't find it. It's got to be somewhere in here. So, I did it by looking at the painting.

The color temp is a slightly different because of the lighting. I did the rocks a little different in this one but I think they work. Looking at this painting, I'm reminded of being there on that peaceful Autumn day. There are times I miss living there but then I look outside at my view of the ocean and it goes away. 

I just finished a new "Abstractly Impressionistic" (yeah...I made that up) floral. It's a 9x12 inch canvas and I love the red roses! I hope you do too! 

Red Roses With Lemons 9x12 inch $250 

I still need to take a better photo. This image is way too small. Not sure what happened with my phone camera but I'm going to take a new one and get it listed! 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this. 

Poppies in my studio again!

 

Available in my Etsy Shop

Here's a revised painting of some beautiful red poppies! I'm using a new spring green oil stick here and there. You can see it on the stems. I also used a hot (almost fluorescent) pink mixed with the red to really make it pop! Sorry for the glare. This painting is available in my Etsy shop. Click on the image for details! 

Thanks for stopping by!