How to Draw from Photographs

Selecting the Best Format

Once you start drawing, it’s impossible not to look at the world through an artist’s eyes! But you won’t always have the opportunity to stop and take the time to frame a perfect composition; sometimes it’s best to focus on collecting as much material as you can in the moment so you can refine it at a later time. You’ve seen me combine references and move objects to improve a composition; now here’s another trick: Always check to see if you can improve a composition by cropping the photo—not only zooming in on the subject, but finding the best format—such as vertical, horizontal, or square—to frame the subject, one that will best bring out its natural beauty.

Collecting Travel References While I was traveling through ...