Don't make the same mistake I did (Painting References)

Ever sat down to paint from one of your own photos and thought, "Why does this look... off?" You blame your painting skills, feel deflated, and question if you’re even cut out for this art thing.

Hold up. It might not be you.
It might just be a bad reference photo.

As artists—especially beginners—we often grab a holiday snapshot or a quick phone pic and expect it to magically translate into a beautiful painting. But if the composition, lighting, or mood is off in the reference, the painting doesn’t stand a chance. Even pro artists can’t save a poorly planned photo.

So here’s how to fix that. These 3 essential tips for taking better reference photos will help you create art you’re actually proud of.

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If you’re ready to break free from tutorials and start painting from your own reference photos, I teach this step-by-step inside my course, Learn to Paint with Confidence.

You’ll learn how to take, edit, and paint from your own photos—so your art becomes truly yours.

If you want a free taster session, click HERE.