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Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository

@animalphotorefs

www.animal-photo-references.com All photos are free to use for all non-AI art. Supported entirely by donations! Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/animalphotorefs Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/animalphotorefs
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Get more from Animal Photo Reference Repository on Patreon
Non-AI animal images for art, academics, media, and more!
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Quickly boosting the repository's Patreon! This is where the magic happens (aka where you get sneak peeks of upcoming photos, plus exclusive videos)!

The art reference project is run entirely on donations. Contributions from users like you make it so I can continue expanding the species and photosets.

Here's a quick cost breakdown of my recent day-trip to go add newborn elephant photos to the repository:

  • Gas - $75
  • Camera lens rental - $45 (needed for specific building/lighting conditions)
  • Zoo ticket - $26
  • Parking - $10
  • Food - none, brought it with me
  • Lodging - none, day-trip
  • Time - 6.5 hours of driving, 6 hours at the zoo

Total: 12.5 hours of time and $156 for day-of trip costs. All covered by one month of support from current Patrons!

What it contributed for site (online soon):

  • Newborn Asian elephant photos
  • At least five new species (insects!) for a whole new site category
  • Nesting behavior in red-billed hornbills
  • Two new amphibian species
  • Way better photos of a crocodile monitor than currently on the site
  • Wing references for California condors in flight!
  • Harbor seal banana pose, 1-800-r-u-slapping pose, and face/flipper closeups
  • Some stellar mountain goat shots

Right now the Patreon funds one day trip like this a month, as long as it's within a couple hours drive from my home base. My current goal is for the Patreon to reach maybe... 350 a month? $350 a month would let me travel further afield this summer - driving and car-camping a couple days at a time - to capture species not in human care in the PNW. Can we make it happen? There's a reptile place with over 80 species of snake I'm itching to return to... and baby bongos just begging to be photographed...

Thanks so much to all of my current Patrons! You're literally why I can keep doing this work and running the site.

#crowdfunding#art references#art resources#exotic animal photo reference repository#animal photography#animal reference photos#art reference#art resource#art inspo#free use images#crocodile monitor#photography#mountain goat
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New Species Added: Basselope!

Basselope — Animal Photo Reference Repository
Animal Photo Reference Repository

It's time to finally to announce a secret I've been keeping for weeks: the addition of an incredibly elusive animal to the repository collection!

Meet the basselope: a rare species that was thought to be extinct until a last surviving individual was rediscovered in 1986. Thanks to some incredible breeding successes in the subsequent years, the basselope population rebounded successfully. Now found in all continents but Antartica, modern basselopes have proven to be a highly adaptable species, and populations in different regions display a wide range of phenotypic variability.

Meet.... the basselope!

Basselope, while not domesticated, regularly choose to den in human homes. The North American population has a particular fondness for couches.

The "jungle" phenotype has lost their antlers over time, likely due to ease of movement through dense plants and vines. They are known for their habit of swinging their ears through the air as they move: while the origin of this behavior is unknown, it's theorized this adaptation may be both a form of enhanced thermoregulation and a way of communicating with conspecifics.

One isolated population of basselope has begun to shed their antlers seasonally, and they have begun a new annual tradition of posing against a backdrop of their previous year's accomplishments.

One of the most elusive morphs is the "arctic" basselope. Despite sharing a range with other basselope populations - which is not all that far north - they're known for developing a strikingly colored and oddly jingly winter coat. The genes responsible for this seasonal color expression are as of yet unknown.

More super-rare, never-before-seen basselope photos can be found here!

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission from the basselopes to use these and all photos of them in the repository as references, including for works that will/may be sold.

The Animal Photo Reference Repository is an independent, permanently open-access project and funded entirely by donations, which allows me the creative freedom to have way, way too much fun on April 1st.

#basselope#april fools#art references#art resources#exotic animal photo reference repository#animal photography#animal reference photos#art reference#art resource#art inspo#free use images
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Y’all. Y’all. ZooMontana had not one. Not two. But THREE wolverine kits last month. I’m dead. Dying. Reanimating and attempting to immediately drive to Montana even though they won’t be on habitat yet.

Look at this photo I yoinked from their site.

Last year, I made the voyage out to Billings to try to photograph their single kit. It didn’t go great - they hung out in the back a bunch and I didn’t have the right lens for that habitat. This year, uh, I might need to bring a tent and find a camping spot. I can rent the right lens. I will get baby galumpher photos this year.

Three! Three!!!!!

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So when you see me pitching the repository crowdfunding, this is why! For a trip that's 13 hours of driving each way, I need your support through Ko-Fi and Patreon to help make photographing baby wolverines happen.

I don't know if there's another regularly breeding pair of captive wolverines in the continental US, they're not a commonly kept species. And oh, man, oh jeez, do I want to start driving to Montana the moment I hear a whisper these babies are on view.

#art references#art resources#animal photography#exotic animal photo reference repository#animal reference photos#art reference#art resource#art inspo#crowdfunding
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Photo of the Day: Geck. (Madagascar giant day gecko)

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use this and all photos in the repository as references, including works that will/may be sold.

The Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository is an independent, permanently open-access project and funded entirely by donations, please consider contributing if you can!

**Patreon** -- **Ko-Fi**

#art references#art resources#exotic animal photo reference repository#animal photography#animal reference photos#art reference#art resource#art inspo#free use images#gecko#madagascar giant day gecko
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Photo of the Day: koala snoozles

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use this and all photos in the repository as references, including works that will/may be sold.

The Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository is an independent, permanently open-access project and funded entirely by donations, please consider contributing if you can!

**Patreon** -- **Ko-Fi**

#art references#art resources#exotic animal photo reference repository#animal photography#animal reference photos#art reference#art resource#art inspo#free use images#koala#naptime
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At some point, @animalphotorefs is going to need a logo - or at very least a little site icon for tabs/link shares. I have no idea what I’d like it to be.

Suggestions, please?

For an icons it should be something that can be identifiable at 100x100 pixels, logos can have a bigger version that’s more complex.

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I posted a picture of my boi in his unfired state a while ago but I completely forgot to post the finished pics! Here he is, in all his chompy glory!

About 45cm worth of clay alligator who survived the firing despite frankly terrible odds x) I wanted to challenge myself to something a little harder and ho boy did I. This little guy was a lot more work than I though he'd be! Took me something like 15 hours of work. But look at him, he came out great!

… I have no idea where to put him now.

--

I used pictures from @animalphotorefs as, well, reference, especially for the face, and was planning to submit this guy to their gallery because I think it'd be nice to have some 3D work in there too :3

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I am so glad he survived!! Thank you for sharing him with us.

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Photo of the Day: sunlit Douglas squirrel

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use this and all photos in the repository as references, including works that will/may be sold.

The Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository is an independent, permanently open-access project and funded entirely by donations, please consider contributing if you can!

**Patreon** -- **Ko-Fi**

#art references#art resources#exotic animal photo reference repository#animal photography#animal reference photos#art reference#art resource#art inspo#free use images#squirrel#squirrels#douglas squirrel
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Photo of the Day: Grey seal nappin'

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use this and all photos in the repository as references, including works that will/may be sold.

The Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository is an independent, permanently open-access project and funded entirely by donations, please consider contributing if you can!

**Patreon** -- **Ko-Fi**

#art references#art resources#exotic animal photo reference repository#animal photography#animal reference photos#art reference#art resource#art inspo#free use images#seal#grey seal#naps#napping
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Photos of the Day: Chilean flamingo dribbles

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use these and all photos in the repository as references, including works that will/may be sold.

The Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository is an independent, permanently open-access project and funded entirely by donations, please consider contributing if you can!

**Patreon** -- **Ko-Fi**

#art references#art resources#exotic animal photo reference repository#animal photography#animal reference photos#art reference#art resource#art inspo#free use images#flamingo#flamingos#chilean flamingo
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Photo of the Day: red panda lunchtime

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use these and all photos in the repository as references, including works that will/may be sold.

The Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository is an independent, permanently open-access project and funded entirely by donations, please consider contributing if you can!

**Patreon** -- **Ko-Fi**

#art references#art resources#exotic animal photo reference repository#animal photography#animal reference photos#art reference#art resource#art inspo#free use images#red panda#panda#om nom nom
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Photos of the Day: Tufted puffin "surfing"

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use these and all photos in the repository as references, including works that will/may be sold.

The Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository is an independent, permanently open-access project and funded entirely by donations, please consider contributing if you can!

**Patreon** -- **Ko-Fi**

#art references#art resources#exotic animal photo reference repository#animal photography#animal reference photos#art reference#art resource#art inspo#free use images#birds#birb#birbs#puffin#puffins#tufted puffin
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Can't afford art school?

After seeing post like this 👇

And this gem 👇

As well as countless of others from the AI generator community. Just talking about how "inaccessible art" is, I decided why not show how wrong these guys are while also helping anyone who actually wants to learn.

Here is the first one ART TEACHERS! There are plenty online and in places like youtube.

📺Here is my list:

  1. Proko (Free, mostly teaches anatomy and how to draw people. But does have art talks and teaches the basics.)
  2. Marc Brunet (Free but he does have other classes for a cheap price. Use to work for Blizzard and teaches you everything)
  3. Aaron Rutten (free, tips about art, talks about art programs and the best products for digital art)
  4. BoroCG (free, teaches a verity of art mediums from 3D modeling to digital painting. As well as some tips that can be used across styles)
  5. Jesse J. Jones (free, talks about animating)
  6. Jesus Conde (free, teaches digital painting and has classes in Spanish)
  7. Mohammed Agbadi (free, he gives some advice in some videos and talks about art)
  8. Ross Draws (free, he does have other classes for a good price. Mostly teaching character designs and simple backgrounds.)
  9. SamDoesArts (free, gives good advice and critiques)
  10. Drawfee Show (free, they do give some good advice and great inspiration)
  11. The Art of Aaron Blaise ( useful tips for digital art and animation. Was an animator for Disney. Mostly nature art)
  12. Bobby Chiu ( useful tips and interviews with artist who are in the industry or making a living as artist)
  13. Sinix Design (has some tips on drawing people)
  14. Winged canvas (art school for free on a verity of mediums)
  15. Bob Ross (just a good time, learn how to paint, as well as how too relax when doing art. "there are no mistakes only happy accidents", this channel also provides tips from another artist)
  16. Scott Christian Sava (Inspiration and provides tips and advice)
  17. Pikat (art advice and critiques)
  18. Drawbox (a suggested cheap online art school, made of a community of artist)
  19. Skillshare (A cheap learning site that has art classes ranging from traditional to digital. As well as Animation and tutorials on art programs. All under one price, in the USA it's around $34 a month)
  20. Human anatomy for artist (not a video or teacher but the site is full of awesome refs to practice and get better at anatomy)

Second part BOOKS, I have collected some books that have helped me and might help others.

📚Here is my list:

  1. The "how to draw manga" series produced by Graphic-sha. These are for manga artist but they give great advice and information.
  2. "Creating characters with personality" by Tom Bancroft. A great book that can help not just people who draw cartoons but also realistic ones. As it helps you with facial ques and how to make a character interesting.
  3. "Albinus on anatomy" by Robert Beverly Hale and Terence Coyle. Great book to help someone learn basic anatomy.
  4. "Artistic Anatomy" by Dr. Paul Richer and Robert Beverly Hale. A good book if you want to go further in-depth with anatomy.
  5. "Directing the story" by Francis Glebas. A good book if you want to Story board or make comics.
  6. "Animal Anatomy for Artists" by Eliot Goldfinger. A good book for if you want to draw animals or creatures.
  7. "Constructive Anatomy: with almost 500 illustrations" by George B. Bridgman. A great book to help you block out shadows in your figures and see them in a more 3 diamantine way.
  8. "Dynamic Anatomy: Revised and expand" by Burne Hogarth. A book that shows how to block out shapes and easily understand what you are looking out. When it comes to human subjects.
  9. "An Atlas of animal anatomy for artist" by W. Ellenberger and H. Dittrich and H. Baum. This is another good one for people who want to draw animals or creatures.
  10. Etherington Brothers, they make books and have a free blog with art tips.

📝As for Supplies, I recommend starting out cheap, buying Pencils and art paper at dollar tree or 5 below. If you want to go fancy Michaels is always a good place for traditional supplies. They also get in some good sales and discounts. For digital art, I recommend not starting with a screen art drawing tablet as they are usually more expensive.

For the Best art Tablet I recommend either Xp-pen, Bamboo or Huion. Some can range from about 40$ to the thousands.

💻As for art programs here is a list of Free to pay.

  1. Clip Studio paint ( you can choose to pay once or sub and get updates. Galaxy, Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone, Android, or Chromebook device. )
  2. Procreate ( pay once for $9.99 usd, IPAD & IPHONE ONLY)
  3. Blender (for 3D modules/sculpting, animation and more. Free)
  4. PaintTool SAI (pay but has a 31 day free trail)
  5. Krita (Free)
  6. mypaint (free)
  7. FireAlpaca (free)
  8. Aseprite ($19.99 usd but has a free trail, for pixel art Windows & macOS)
  9. Drawpile (free and for if you want to draw with others)
  10. IbisPaint (free, phone app ONLY)
  11. Medibang (free, IPAD, Android and PC)

NOTE: Some of these can work on almost any computer like Clip and Sai but others will require a bit stronger computer like Blender. Please check their sites for if your computer is compatible.

So do with this information as you will but as you can tell there are ways to learn how to become an artist, without breaking the bank. The only thing that might be stopping YOU from using any of these things, is YOU.

I have made time to learn to draw and many artist have too. Either in-between working two jobs or taking care of your family and a job or regular school and chores. YOU just have to take the time or use some time management, it really doesn't take long to practice for like an hour or less. YOU also don't have to do it every day, just once or three times a week is fine.

Hope this was helpful and have a great day.

"also apologies for any spelling or grammar errors, I have Dyslexia and it makes my brain go XP when it comes to speech or writing"
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Boosting this in case any of the programs and books suggested are useful.

All the photos on this tumblr ad the animal photo reference site I run is another resource available for artists to use!

As long as you’re not using AI to create your art, you can reference / trace / draw / recombine / make any sort of art you want, with any of the photos, for free.

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Photos of the Day: Northwestern pond turtle drama

(pssssst turtles are coming to the site soon!)

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use these and all photos in the repository as references, including works that will/may be sold.

The Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository is an independent, permanently open-access project and funded entirely by donations, please consider contributing if you can!

**Patreon** -- **Ko-Fi**

#art references#art resources#exotic animal photo reference repository#animal photography#animal reference photos#art reference#art resource#art inspo#free use images#turtle#turtles#turts#northwestern pond turtles#pond turtles
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