How to build references photos for your paintings!! | A Chris Kempter Video

[@lbdrummer3]

That painting looks incredible!

[@ChrisKempter]

Thanks!

[@karenbearden6198]

So fascinating how you put this together. I wouldn't call it cheating at all, it's utilizing all of your creative ability to make the best possible outcome. It's brilliant!

[@ChrisKempter]

Thanks! I feel better now!

[@gdhone2371]

Chris! Good to see you! My favorite line "..if you think I'm cheating, I don't care....." Bear spray for trolls came to mind 😂🤣. To my mind your absence meant you were engrossed in something amazing. Guess I was right ( for once 🙄). Thanks for taking the time to make thid video Brother. Take care.

[@ChrisKempter]

Lol thanks. Can’t waste time with the haters right?

[@GaryMcGowan-xl2ko]

Thanks!

[@ChrisKempter]

Thank you sir!

[@dwightg.halpert7219]

I’m an artist myself but more on black and white abstract. Your videos inspire me to try painting/water colour. I believe that alot of beautiful creations can be seen from this medium.

[@JohnWizz]

Great little video! Keep it up.

[@ChrisKempter]

Thanks!

[@H.Allen.C]

Thanks Chris. Interesting.

[@ChrisKempter]

🤙

[@Frank50505]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@ChrisKempter]

Glad you liked it!

[@GaryMcGowan-xl2ko]

While traveling around, it was great to see your reference photo build! Great job.

[@ChrisKempter]

Thanks! I sent you an email with the final painting.

[@GaryMcGowan-xl2ko]

@@ChrisKempter I can't wait :)

[@sneal9012]

How many hours did it take to create the reference photo? Only artists know the importance of good reference photos. No artist who views this will claim you cheated. You're brilliant! Thanks for sharing.

[@ChrisKempter]

It didn’t take that long. It only took me a few hours to make it. It took me 6 months to find the right pictures on line lol!

[@LovefortheUnloveable]

Welcome back. I just figured the whole new family thing was redefining your priorities. I don't know if it's cheating either, but it certainly is wisdom. I'm anxious to see the finished painting.

[@ChrisKempter]

Thanks! Definitely not enough time to do everything lol. It will be done soon!

[@mimisart]

Wow. Great reference photo. I might need photoshop, lol.

[@ChrisKempter]

Definitely well worth it.

[@ChrisKempter]

You have to get the adobe subscription, but you get a ton of great programs in the suite

[@johnsarian_cu]

I've worked in the digital image space, and it never occurred to me how it can facilitate painting so well. Of course, I don't paint so that may partly be why. LOL No way that's cheating. It's just smart. IMHO it takes nothing away from being creative or the artistry.

[@ChrisKempter]

It is definitely a great tool for creating exact references photos for painting. It has helped me out tremendously

[@craigwillms61]

I use self-made stencils to position my subjects on the canvas - might work for folks without photoshop. Similar to what you're doing only more manual.

[@ChrisKempter]

Nice! I never tried that, but I would imagine it would work well.

[@SylvesterLazarus]

I'm a digital-only artist, so make all my work digitally, but there's a program I can only recommend to anyone and this is Daz Studio. It's a free program that has paid features, but it comes with a set of default detailed human anatomy models. It's something like a really basic 3d art program and a virtual photo studio. You can pose human characters like mannequins and it can be really helpful with things like trying to figure out the proportions of multiple human characters relative to each other in a scene, and you can also make your own poses if you really struggle to find the right images. It's not a substitute at all for actual reference photos, but it can be really useful in countless situations. I've been using it for years without paying a since cent for it, but you can get props and clothing items that are attachable to the characters, for example I'm sure there are western clothing/prop/environment packs. There's a similar program for phones named Magic Poser, but don't know much about it, so if someone only has a phone I recommend checking that one out!

[@ChrisKempter]

Thanks! I might have to give it a try!