Norman Rockwell and the Art of Using Photo Reference

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A channel subscriber asked me how does an artist effectively use photo reference. How to get a natural feel without it looking like the person is staged? How to visualize things in order to even sketch them out?

This is something I struggle with as well and I recommend looking at a book called Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera.

It’s one of the best books I’ve ever seen on how to use photo reference. Rockwell used hundreds of photos throughout his career. This book shows you his reference photography shot side by side with the finished pieces.

10 Comments
  1. 66jediknight says

    Spot On! Great insight and perspective on the way one uses photo reference as an artist.

  2. MrMjp58 says

    This is really great. Thanks! Any mention of Rockwell gets my attention.

  3. Steve Kobb says

    Excellent video. Thanks so much for putting it together.

  4. Joseph Caruso says

    Great informative video! Many thanks for taking the time to do it for us.

  5. alekpierceDraws says

    Rockwell is one of my most nostalgic artist. I'm Dutch, so growing up with a ton of his art within thebwalls of my grandparents home, such as Santa or milk maids really has imprinted onto me.
    Great video, I should get this book.

  6. dead_zombies says

    This is an awesome video with priceless insights!

  7. Socrates says

    Thank you so much for this video, really good

  8. Tuna Yayo says

    Thank you so much for covering this topic! and yeah, you got my name right!

    I've been working with photo reference since we last talked, and I'm getting better at poses and the like. Also recently started drawing gas masks, and it's surprisingly fun. I really need to get working on environments though, they're just really… intimidating to start.

    Another very interesting thing you mentioned was Rockwell's habit of changing parts of his finished work to convey a certain mood and story. This is something that just kinda hit me right on the head a week ago, I realized that I've been working so hard to get better at rendering things and making things look accurate that I completely forgot to make art, and now… I just don't know how to convey that story. I just don't have very creative ideas, which is ironic and tragic for someone who's supposed to be an "artist."

  9. Tuna Yayo says

    Thank you so much for covering this topic! and yeah, you got my name right!

    I've been working with photo reference since we last talked, and I'm getting better at poses and the like. Also recently started drawing gas masks, and it's surprisingly fun. I really need to get working on environments though, they're just really… intimidating to start.

    Another very interesting thing you mentioned was Rockwell's habit of changing parts of his finished work to convey a certain mood and story. This is something that just kinda hit me right on the head a week ago, I realized that I've been working so hard to get better at rendering things and making things look accurate that I completely forgot to make art, and now… I just don't know how to convey that story. I just don't have very creative ideas, which is ironic and tragic for someone who's supposed to be an "artist."

  10. Marsh Makes Comics says

    great discussion man thanks for making this video!

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