Ultimate Reference Book

**JOELB** · February 15th, 2011, 07:12 PM

I am going to be living in a remote location without electricity for awhile. I would love to still do some art projects then. Unfortunately I can't plan for all of the projects I will be doing and all of the reference I will need.

Does anyone know of a great reference book that I could draw and paint from?

Ideally one that has a wide breadth of subjects.

**manlybrian** · February 16th, 2011, 03:13 AM

Maybe a dictionary or encyclopedia set with pictures.

If you'll be able to get mail, maybe you could subscribe to some magazines with reference photos.

You could gather up a ton of photos off the Internet and send them into one of those "self publishing" book websites like Lulu. Then they'll arrange them all into a book for you.

You might look into some like photojournalism books. Those often have interesting things in them.

Here's this:
Comic Artist's Photo Reference - People & Poses: Book/CD Set with 1000+ Color Images (Comic Artists Reference) [Paperback]

**Cojac** · February 22nd, 2011, 04:56 PM

You could choose an artist the you admire and want to draw or paint like him so buy a book with his masterpieces and do a series of projects inspired by him.

Or you could take some pictures of subjects you like and print them to carry with you as your models.

**surus** · February 26th, 2011, 06:08 PM

Drawing: Gottfried Bammes
Painting: Norman Rockwell

**JOELB** · March 17th, 2011, 03:10 PM

Thanks all. I guess I am going to have to just make a scrapbook of references.

**jpacer** · March 17th, 2011, 10:35 PM

You could also just go outside and paint. In fact, you could paint the same darn thing over and over at different times of day or different weather conditions, etc. (a la Monet). I bet you'd learn a lot that way. Just a suggestion.

**JOELB** · March 23rd, 2011, 09:39 AM

Thanks jpacer!! That's a very good idea. I just wanted to have a plan to paint something other than landscapes. I am leaving the united states for a year and a half to join my wife in the rainforest, so I am not sure what to expect there. I know there won't be any electricity and it will rain a lot.

**Noa K** · March 26th, 2011, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by JOELB

Thanks jpacer!! That's a very good idea. I just wanted to have a plan to paint something other than landscapes. I am leaving the united states for a year and a half to join my wife in the rainforest, so I am not sure what to expect there. I know there won't be any electricity and it will rain a lot.

holy crap! you lucky, lucky dog!
well, i was going to suggest taking a couple national geographic magazines with you, but it seems you're gonna be living it out...

**JOELB** · March 27th, 2011, 04:24 PM

oh definitely. I am really looking forward to going to hanging out on the beach, seeing some amazing wildlife, and painting.

I just didn't want to be there and get the inspiration to paint ninjas, cityscapes, or whatever and have no reference.