Resources · Free

Real surfaces. Free to use.

High-res reference photos we shoot ourselves: metal, stone, nature, animals and light. Free for the community. Use them to understand how a real surface catches light before you paint one.

Shot on our own cameras: a Canon 700D and our phones over the years · location data removed

Usage

Using these photos

Free for painting reference, study and personal projects. Commercial use? Write to contact@blueinkcraft.net and we'll sort out a licence.

Butterfly wing
Animal · DaylightButterfly wingOnePlus 7T
Calico cat
Animal · Window lightCalico catCanon EOS 700D
Snowfield
Nature · OvercastSnowfieldOnePlus 7T
Fields at dusk
Nature · Golden hourFields at duskCanon EOS 700D
Museum helmet
Metal · Museum lightMuseum helmetOnePlus 12
Airbrush chrome
Metal · StudioAirbrush chromeCanon EOS 700D
Gothic statue
Stone · DaylightGothic statueOnePlus 15
Facade at night
Light · NightFacade at nightOnePlus 12
Macaw
Animal · DaylightMacaw
Emerald swallowtail
Animal · DaylightEmerald swallowtailOnePlus 7T
Butterflies on oranges
Animal · DaylightButterflies on orangesOnePlus 7T
Owl butterfly
Animal · DaylightOwl butterflyOnePlus 7T
Blue morpho on a hand
Animal · DaylightBlue morpho on a handOnePlus 7T
Butterfly on fruit
Animal · DaylightButterfly on fruitOnePlus 7T
Translucent wings
Animal · DaylightTranslucent wingsOnePlus 7T
Painted lady
Animal · DaylightPainted ladyOnePlus 7T
Black cat, looking up
Animal · Window lightBlack cat, looking upOppo Find X9 Pro
Cat on a leather sofa
Animal · IndoorCat on a leather sofaOppo Find X9 Pro
Calico on a glass table
Animal · IndoorCalico on a glass tableOppo Find X9 Pro
Tabby close-up
Animal · IndoorTabby close-upiPhone SE
Blue-eyed tabby
Animal · IndoorBlue-eyed tabbyOnePlus 7T
Black cat, upside down
Animal · Window lightBlack cat, upside downCanon EOS 700D
Black cat on an armchair
Animal · IndoorBlack cat on an armchairCanon EOS 700D
Dog on the beach
Animal · BacklightDog on the beachOnePlus 7T
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Take your time, keep adding those layers.

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© 2026 Blue Ink Craft. All rights reserved.All artwork and photography © Blue Ink Craft.