Reference Photos for Artists – Copyright-Free Drawing & Painting Ideas

Download FREE to Use Reference Photos

Looking for high-quality reference photos for your next drawing or painting? This collection was created by traditional artists specifically for artists who need beautiful, unique images without copyright restrictions. You can use all the images from this website for free, for comercial and non-comercial purposes, with no atribution or credit reqired.

Join us and find over 100+ of the best free reference images.

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red apple photograph for artists to use as reference fro drawing painting

reference photo for painting snow leopard beautiful snowy landscape hills forest

What You Get with Your Membership

Access to a continually growing collection
3 new reference images added EVERY day
Wide range of themes and subjects
Unlimited use of all downloaded images
Copyright-free usage
Use for both commercial and non-commercial purposes
Sell your artwork freely — no restrictions
No need to credit or attribute us
Images are yours forever
You’re free to create whatever you want, however you want

Become a Member

New Reference Photos Every Day!

Stay inspired with fresh reference photos added daily. Every day you get new images to draw, paint, or design from — including portraits, animals, landscapes, still life, and creative subjects. Our collection keeps growing, so you'll never run out of ideas.

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colorful butterfly reference photo for drawing

Download Free Reference Photos for Artists – Full Collection

Choose Your Membership Plan

$19 USD / Week

Access to all reference photos.
Unlimited downloads — no extra fees per image.
Ideal for those who prefer flexibility.
Pay on a week-to-week basis.

$49 USD / Month

Access to all reference photos.
Unlimited downloads — no extra fees per image.
Access to the Color Palette Extractor (upload your own images).
Perfect for consistent creators.
Save compared to weekly pricing.

$199 USD / Year

Access to all reference photos.
Unlimited downloads — no extra fees per image.
Access to the Color Palette Extractor (upload your own images).
Best value for long-term artists.
Pay once for unlimited access all year.

Cancel any time. Prices are in USD. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Have a question? Contact us

Q&A Colored Pencil: Frequently Asked Questions

Are these images really free for use?

Yes, the reference images are free to use for creating artwork - including for commercial purposes. You may sell, print, or publish any artwork you make using these photos. However, the photos themselves may not be resold, redistributed, or uploaded to other platforms. As a member, you don't have to purchase images — the only thing you pay is a subscription fee for this website, starting at $3 per week, and you can download as many images as you want and use them freely.

Can I sell artwork I create using your reference photos?

Yes, you can sell any artwork you create using our reference photos. You fully own the rights to your original artwork.

Do I have to credit or give attribution?

No, you don’t have to credit or give attribution for any of the photos you download from this site as a member. If you'd like to share our photos with others, we simply ask that you link back to our website. Attribution is always appreciated, but never required.

How do I give Reference Photos for Artists credit?

If you want to give credit, simply link to our website or mention "Reference Photos for Artists" referencephotosforartists.com as your source.

Who selects the reference images for this site?

All images are carefully selected by our admins and moderators, who are real traditional artists. They draw, paint, and understand exactly which reference photos will look good as drawings or paintings. We choose the best images based on strong lighting, vibrant colors, and inspiring subjects.

What should I draw or paint next? Looking for ideas and inspiration?

Join us and you’ll get a daily dose of inspiration and motivation! We add new reference photos and creative ideas every day to help you decide what to draw or paint next.