7 TIPS FOR THE BEST REFERENCE PICTURE

Are you dreaming of becoming an artist’s muse?

As an artist and a muse, I have some valuable information I’d like to share. Posing for an artist is fun, but can also be complex if you don’t know some key pieces of information to create your reference picture. Here are seven tips to create the best reference picture possible, as well as examples of my work and the reference picture I used to create them.

Natural light is the best

If possible, pose in front of a window or outside to get as much natural light as possible. For a more interesting composition, don’t angle your face to be directly in front of the sunlight. Turn your face at an angle and create an interesting composition of lights and shadows.

Always be leveled with the eyes

A very important detail is to put your phone or your camera at the same height as your eyes. We don’t want to look like we’re being taken from too far up or too far down. Also, make sure we can see your whole head (no weird cropping necessary) and ideally down to your breasts. A good portrait is more than just a face.

Look at inspirational pictures before posing

I always like to look at inspirational pictures before starting to shoot. Whether you want to look like The Girl With The Pearl Earring or the Mona Lisa, it’s important to get the first feel of a composition that you’d like to recreate.

Look at your pictures multiple times during the photoshoot

Don’t put all your eggs in the same basket. Make sure you start with one pose and look at your pictures to evaluate what’s working and what’s not before changing your pose. Fine-tuning a pose is incredibly important to get the best possible picture. Once you get something you’re satisfied with, try something else! The first pose is never the most interesting, so keep on practicing.

Keep your mouth closed

The Mona Lisa is enigmatic because of her smile. Try to recreate it by simply not showing any teeth. You can have a slightly opened mouth, but big smiles are a big no-no.

Hands

These are the most important parts of your body to make or break a good reference picture. If you want to incorporate your hands, always serve ballerina hands in your poses. Look at Jamie Beck on Instagram for inspiration. It truly changes everything.

Feel beautiful

Before a shoot, I love to listen to a guided meditation for self-love. It grounds me beautifully and reminds me that this is a process to show myself some love. I don’t want to feel afraid or constricted in my energy. We are going for big energy! Big artwork!

Can’t wait to create a masterpiece from the masterpiece that you are,

Amélie oxx

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