Photo Guide
In order to produce a detailed and realistic drawing, I need high quality reference photos. This guide explains what makes a good reference photo and provides some tips on how to take your own.
Camera
Use a good quality smartphone or digital camera to capture as much detail as possible. Please send the photos in their original format, not cropped, edited or screenshotted because this will decrease the resolution and quality of the images.
Lighting
Take your photos in natural light, either inside near a window or outside in a shaded area. Have the light source behind you and the subject facing towards the light. Be aware that artificial lighting and flash can cause unnatural colours.
Angle
Capture the photo at the subject’s eye level to avoid distorting their features. This can be done by kneeling down with the camera or by raising the subject onto a higher surface such as a table or chair.
Detail
Get close and fill the frame with the head and chest of the animal without zooming in. My portraits focus on the subject’s facial features so it’s really important that you get a good quality headshot.
Quality
Make sure the photos are in clear focus. As a general rule, if you can zoom in and see the individual hairs and details in the subject’s eyes then the photo is of good enough quality to draw from.
Personality
Try and capture the character and natural expression of the subject. I draw what I see so you must be happy that the reference photo shows your pet’s true personality.
Please email your photographs to hello@isobelemmett.com as attachments. I’m happy to receive as many photos as you wish to send because this helps me to get a better idea of the character and colouring of your pet.