Reference Photos Books

Chrissy D · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 1053 Location: Queensland

Does anyone know of any books made for artists as reference photo books. I ask this because I am sick of borrowing between 5 and 10 books from the library at a time just for a few barely useful photos I could use. They are either too small or in black and white, or just not quite clear enough.

And than the internet either has the perfect photo but is copyright, or too small to see clearly what it is.

I just want a book full of photos (and preferably no words) and a variety of pic.

Yes I know this is asking alot, but you would think somewhere out there someone would of thought of this idea and made heaps of money out of it?

Any suggestions on books you have seen which would be suitable?

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3211

I have seen exactly what you are looking for in Dymocks. Smile

The only problem is that they are usually American.
Just search google for Artist photo reference book.
Daniel

AvG · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1912

michellegiacobello · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 191 Location: Melbourne

There is a great site that you can subscribe to - they provide free samples if you link to them in your blog, and if you find them helpful pay the money and see lots more.

I'm definately going to do this.

http://www.female-anatomy-for-artist.com/

They also have male models. I do think it's useful and have used some of their samples for paintings really sucessfully.

Thgere's nothing better than the real thing though - and as Amanda says - Digi cameras are so useful. I just don't want to see most of my friends naked Shocked

AvG · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1912

michellegiacobello · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 191 Location: Melbourne

They do - I was having a bit of a stir. Razz

Chardonnay · Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Posts: 70 Location: Gold Coast

faeriemajikk · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 22 Location: NSW Australia

A little while ago i bought a book at the newsagents...a few years ago but it was a special edition of Black & White Photography Mag...don't know if anyone buys it but it was called the Naked & The Nude...it does have mostly black and white pics in it but it's pretty handy, perhaps you can have a look for something like that...mags tend to bring out yearbooks etc of best work.
I think it depends on what you are looking for...one with pics of people or a reference as far as an Artists Anatomy book.

gggraph · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:35 pm Post subject: Re - Reference Photos Books

Hi Chrissy - they do exist. I have a series called the Illustrator's Figure Reference Manual. There are a number of titles, including the general manual, Hands & Faces, Nudes, and Children. They are photographed from a number of angles, and three different heights.

As the title suggests, they are intended not so much for fine artists, but for commercial illustrators. They also pre-date digital cameras, so nowdays, I tend to act out the pose while somebody else shoots me looking stupid.

Cheers

Grant

Artwoman · Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 153 Location: Melbourne

I find this book exellent...

Title of book is:

THE NUDE FIGURE..A Visual Reference for the Artist..

It only cost about $60 and it was well worth it.. I use it non stop.. Very Happy

michael whillier · Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 488 Location: Queensland

Send a copy to the art exhibition in Adelaide

gggraph · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:08 pm Post subject: Re - Reference Photos Books

Good idea, although they might have to have a cup of tea and a good lie down after looking at it...

Grant

Sierra · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 584 Location: Queensland

Omphaloskeptic · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 855 Location: Merimbula

Domai might provide what you're looking for:

http://www.domai.com/

They have a number of free photos on the site and subscriptions are quite reasonable. They provide a list of the photographers who give permission to use their work as long as attribution is given. They even have an art contest and a page of art that members have submitted!

http://www.domai.com/art/index.html

Just noticed they have a book too! However it's not clear at first glance if the images in it can be used for artworks.

http://www.domai.com/pics/natural-beauties/index.html

Lemonzest · Joined: 31 Oct 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Perth

Hi Chrissy,
I decided to reply to your post, even though I know you wrote it some time ago. I also was looking for artist photo reference books. I am an illustrator and whilst it might seem like a good idea to take photos of your friend's / family members in different poses you can't always get them to pose instantly and if you have a tight timeframe on a job these books do help.
Someone else mentioned above that a lot of the books are from America. I found that to be the case too. Sad

I looked in Boffins, A&R and none of them had Artist reference books.
Here are the books that I have found to be useful.

Jennings, Simon 'Body Parts : A Practical sourcebook for drawing the human form',
I bought mine from Dymocks for $40. It has some life models (male and female in different poses) It has a good section on hands and some drawing tips.

I bought these ones off Amazon:

Chakkour, Mario Henri 'Virtual Pose: Children and teens'
This ones shows kids / teen's posing from many different angles and also comes with a disc.
You can get children and adults of varying races and ages aswell.
Here is the link to the website:
http://virtualpose.net/

Simon, Mark 'Facial Expressions: A Visual reference for artists'

There is also a kids one

Simon, Mark 'Facial Expressions: Babies to teens'

Hope this helps

Laughing