RESOURCES FOR ART STUDENTS & ARTISTS
A note from Linda:
In this age of information and technology, there's no shortage of online resources for art students and artists these days. You can Google just about any subject and find a plethora of videos, articles, and images. Perhaps what's most amazing is that many of these resources are free, or at least reasonably priced.
As I venture out onto the world wide web, I often come across sites that I find helpful in my artistic and art-teaching journey. I've decided to start sharing some of those on the Resources for Art Students page.
I hope that you find some value here as well. I'll try to add to the list from time to time. And if you find something of interest to share, send me the link! There's always something new to learn!
—Linda Calvert Jacobson
Artist, Art Teacher, Life-long learner and Inquisitive Soul
PS I'll try to check the links every so often, but you know there's always the chance for a broken link. Let me know if you incur any.
In this age of information and technology, there's no shortage of online resources for art students and artists these days. You can Google just about any subject and find a plethora of videos, articles, and images. Perhaps what's most amazing is that many of these resources are free, or at least reasonably priced.
As I venture out onto the world wide web, I often come across sites that I find helpful in my artistic and art-teaching journey. I've decided to start sharing some of those on the Resources for Art Students page.
I hope that you find some value here as well. I'll try to add to the list from time to time. And if you find something of interest to share, send me the link! There's always something new to learn!
—Linda Calvert Jacobson
Artist, Art Teacher, Life-long learner and Inquisitive Soul
PS I'll try to check the links every so often, but you know there's always the chance for a broken link. Let me know if you incur any.
FREE REFERENCE IMAGES
In a perfect world, we'd only use our own photos or our imagination/memories to paint from. But how do you paint a snowy winter scene when you live in South Texas? Or a field of Texas wildflowers if you in upstate New York? Or a farm scene when your backyard is a cityscape? And vice versa?
In my humble opinion (and it's just that, my opinion), it's OK to use others' photo references as long as you either have permission or your resource specifically allows for downloading and free use. I have two websites to recommend where you can start your search for reference photos that are free to use for your art. You can register but I don't think it's required. Of course, they both offer "premium" plans that you'd pay for, which is always an option.
Pexels
https://www.pexels.com/
Unsplash
https://unsplash.com/
Facebook
If you use Facebook, you have more options. I've found several "free" use groups on Facebook. When you're online in your FB account, just do a search for references for artists. Generally, you'll have to join the group but that's easy and then you have access to a ton of photos that these kind souls share. My current favorites are:
• Landscape Reference Photos for Artists
• Free Reference Photos for Artists
(Copy-n-paste in the search field from your FB page).
In a perfect world, we'd only use our own photos or our imagination/memories to paint from. But how do you paint a snowy winter scene when you live in South Texas? Or a field of Texas wildflowers if you in upstate New York? Or a farm scene when your backyard is a cityscape? And vice versa?
In my humble opinion (and it's just that, my opinion), it's OK to use others' photo references as long as you either have permission or your resource specifically allows for downloading and free use. I have two websites to recommend where you can start your search for reference photos that are free to use for your art. You can register but I don't think it's required. Of course, they both offer "premium" plans that you'd pay for, which is always an option.
Pexels
https://www.pexels.com/
Unsplash
https://unsplash.com/
If you use Facebook, you have more options. I've found several "free" use groups on Facebook. When you're online in your FB account, just do a search for references for artists. Generally, you'll have to join the group but that's easy and then you have access to a ton of photos that these kind souls share. My current favorites are:
• Landscape Reference Photos for Artists
• Free Reference Photos for Artists
(Copy-n-paste in the search field from your FB page).
ART SUPPLY RESOURCES
Today, you can type just about anything in the Amazon search box and order it. But there are also many tried-and-true art supply businesses still around. My general approach is to do price comparisons on more than one site. Keep in mind minimums for free shipping (or add the shipping price to your costs). If you need it sooner than later, compare the shipping schedules as well. Here are some sites that I use:
Jerry's Artarama
https://www.jerrysartarama.com/
Dick Blick
https://www.dickblick.com/
Hobby Lobby
https://www.hobbylobby.com/
Michaels
https://www.michaels.com/
JoAnns
https://www.joann.com/
Cheap Joes
https://cheapjoes.com/
Today, you can type just about anything in the Amazon search box and order it. But there are also many tried-and-true art supply businesses still around. My general approach is to do price comparisons on more than one site. Keep in mind minimums for free shipping (or add the shipping price to your costs). If you need it sooner than later, compare the shipping schedules as well. Here are some sites that I use:
Jerry's Artarama
https://www.jerrysartarama.com/
Dick Blick
https://www.dickblick.com/
Hobby Lobby
https://www.hobbylobby.com/
Michaels
https://www.michaels.com/
JoAnns
https://www.joann.com/
Cheap Joes
https://cheapjoes.com/
HOW-TO VIDEOS
This is where you can easily go down the rabbit hole! But as long as you are gaining knowledge and gleaning information, that's OK! Just about anytime I want to explore something new or different, I turn to YouTube. Once you start a search for a specific topic, you'll be presented with more options...and it sometimes seems to never end! In addition to instructional how-to videos, I find the product comparison reels very helpful. What's the best... (fill in the blank)? Many of the presenters have made this their life's work, or least a major income generator through ads and sponsorships, which still keeps the material free for us to access!
I do have a few favorites that I'll share here (in no particular order).
The Mind of Watercolor by Steve Mitchell
This guy really knows his stuff! I find his product comparisons , he calls them "show downs" very helpful.
https://www.youtube.com/@mindofwatercolor
Cecile Yadro
An artist from France who is both entertaining and information. Her videos on gouache are very helpful.
https://www.youtube.com/@CecileYadro
Sketching Scottie
This guy tackles what most of us considers the hardest, portraits and perspective.
https://www.youtube.com/@SketchingScottie
TobySketchLoose
Toby specializes in Urban Sketching, which is still on my long list of things to get better at.
https://www.youtube.com/@TobySketchLoose
Robert Burridge
If this guy can't help you loosen up your painting, no one can! Plus I have ordered and use his color chart, which has a bit of a twist to it.
https://www.youtube.com/@RobertBurridgeBobBlast
Michele Webber
This woman covers a wide range of material and techniques in her videos. I like that after a brief introduction, she gets down to business .
https://www.youtube.com/@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber
This is where you can easily go down the rabbit hole! But as long as you are gaining knowledge and gleaning information, that's OK! Just about anytime I want to explore something new or different, I turn to YouTube. Once you start a search for a specific topic, you'll be presented with more options...and it sometimes seems to never end! In addition to instructional how-to videos, I find the product comparison reels very helpful. What's the best... (fill in the blank)? Many of the presenters have made this their life's work, or least a major income generator through ads and sponsorships, which still keeps the material free for us to access!
I do have a few favorites that I'll share here (in no particular order).
The Mind of Watercolor by Steve Mitchell
This guy really knows his stuff! I find his product comparisons , he calls them "show downs" very helpful.
https://www.youtube.com/@mindofwatercolor
Cecile Yadro
An artist from France who is both entertaining and information. Her videos on gouache are very helpful.
https://www.youtube.com/@CecileYadro
Sketching Scottie
This guy tackles what most of us considers the hardest, portraits and perspective.
https://www.youtube.com/@SketchingScottie
TobySketchLoose
Toby specializes in Urban Sketching, which is still on my long list of things to get better at.
https://www.youtube.com/@TobySketchLoose
Robert Burridge
If this guy can't help you loosen up your painting, no one can! Plus I have ordered and use his color chart, which has a bit of a twist to it.
https://www.youtube.com/@RobertBurridgeBobBlast
Michele Webber
This woman covers a wide range of material and techniques in her videos. I like that after a brief introduction, she gets down to business .
https://www.youtube.com/@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber
PRODUCT WEBSITES
You can also find a lot of information when you go directly to a company's product website. Of course, they are trying to sell you on their brand, but that's OK. That's why you search out other resources to compare products, like the ones I listed above. Here are a few my favorites (in no particular order).
Derwent
Known for their intense colors with products in both wet and dry media.
https://www.derwentart.us/
Pan Pastel
Soft pastels in little pans rather than stick form. Now a part of the Golden family but they have their own website.
https://panpastel.com/home
Golden
Wide range of products.
https://goldenartistcolors.com/
Liquitex
I've been using this brand since the 1980s and it continues to my go-to.
https://www.liquitex.com/
Strathmore
Paper for just about any project or medium.
https://www.strathmoreartist.com/
Arches Papers
The choice of many professionals.
https://arches-papers.com/
Kuretake
Vibrant and versatile watercolors!
https://www.kuretakezig.us/
You can also find a lot of information when you go directly to a company's product website. Of course, they are trying to sell you on their brand, but that's OK. That's why you search out other resources to compare products, like the ones I listed above. Here are a few my favorites (in no particular order).
Derwent
Known for their intense colors with products in both wet and dry media.
https://www.derwentart.us/
Pan Pastel
Soft pastels in little pans rather than stick form. Now a part of the Golden family but they have their own website.
https://panpastel.com/home
Golden
Wide range of products.
https://goldenartistcolors.com/
Liquitex
I've been using this brand since the 1980s and it continues to my go-to.
https://www.liquitex.com/
Strathmore
Paper for just about any project or medium.
https://www.strathmoreartist.com/
Arches Papers
The choice of many professionals.
https://arches-papers.com/
Kuretake
Vibrant and versatile watercolors!
https://www.kuretakezig.us/
