It has been a point of contention among artists for years: Is it a sin to paint from photos instead of painting from life, especially when the photos are not taken by yourself? The painting below are all done from photos I found online. I became tired of model sessions with harsh lighting and uninspiring outfits. So I experimented with different photos of Asian, Caucasian, olive-skinned, and African-American models. I think I learned from the experience. And the best part? I practiced painting different skin tones.
What I learned: Simplify values, colors and shapes. Do not paint everything you see. Focus on where the light and shadow meets -- that’s where the most interesting drawing takes place and where local colors make an appearance. It helps to premix a few colors for the major shapes in your painting. Additionally, more nuanced colors can be achieved when mixing with a palette knife.
