As artists, we are constantly searching for strong reference material. The right source image can elevate your painting before you even touch the canvas. Today, creating your own painting sources is easier than ever thanks to powerful tools across your phone, iPad, and computer.
Each device offers something unique. The key is knowing how to use them to support your creative vision, not overwhelm it.
Let’s walk through some of our favorite programs and how they can serve your process.
Before we get into tools, let’s ground this in purpose.
When you build your own reference, you take control of:
Instead of copying what already exists, you become the designer of your painting from the very beginning.
These tools are not shortcuts. They are creative partners.
Your computer is where you can go deep. This is the space for refining, compositing, and building complex references with intention.
Canva is incredibly approachable and surprisingly powerful. It is perfect for:
It is especially helpful if you are newer to digital tools or want something fast and intuitive. It's free or has a low monthly cost for premium features.
These are industry standards for a reason.
Photoshop is ideal for:
Illustrator is more vector-based, but can still be useful for:
These tools give you full control, but they do come with a learning curve and a higher monthly cost.
Pixlr is a fantastic free alternative that lives right in your browser.
It allows you to:
If you want Photoshop-like functionality without the cost, Pixlr is a great place to start.
See how the artists on The Outstanding Artist, Season 4, use painting sources...
The iPad is where digital meets intuitive. It feels close to drawing or painting, which makes it ideal for artists.
Procreate is one of the most beloved tools among artists.
It offers:
You can sketch directly over your reference, simplify shapes, or redesign the entire composition. It is a one-time purchase, which makes it even more appealing.
These tools bring powerful editing into a simple interface.
Photomator is excellent for:
Pixelmator Pro (on Mac and iPad) adds:
These are perfect when you want strong results without getting lost in technical details.
Your phone is always with you. That makes it one of your most powerful creative tools.
Use it to capture ideas, edit on the go, and build references wherever you are.
Snapseed is simple, clean, and surprisingly capable.
With it, you can:
It is perfect for quick edits that make your reference stronger in seconds.
Photomator on your phone brings advanced tools into your pocket.
You can:
This is especially useful when you want to quickly elevate a photo into something paint-worthy.
The answer is not one or the other. It is how you combine them.
Think of it as a creative pipeline rather than separate tools.
With so many tools available, it is easy to overcomplicate the process.
Come back to the essentials:
The program does not make the painting. Your decisions do.
Use these tools to support your vision, not replace it.
If you want to go deeper into creating powerful painting sources and building a complete, professional process from idea to finished artwork, that is exactly what we teach inside the Mastery Program.
We guide you step by step so you can move from uncertainty to clarity in your art, your workflow, and your creative direction.
Your next level as an artist starts with stronger decisions.