As artists, we need to use references to accurately visualize our concepts. But, how do we create things off the top of our heads when we don’t have a reference to work from? This is when you need to use your visual library.

A visual library is a person’s memory of visual subjects. These memories allow a person to portray those subjects accurately off the top of their heads, often because they have studied them.

When someone is talking to us about a firetruck, we imagine a firetruck. We know exactly what they are talking about. When we see a red truck going full speed with a ladder and sirens we can easily identify what it is.

But if I ask you to draw a firetruck, can you accurately do it?

If your answer is no, you need to train your visual library. (Or at least train your visual library in things you’re interested in ;) )

How to expand your visual library

You expand your visual library by doing studies and by exercising drawing the subjects of your studies off the top of your head. Doing these studies strengthens the memory of the subject which will help you portray it accurately.

You study a subject by drawing something (preferably from real life) as precisely as possible. You study its form, colors, details, and orthographic views.

Just remember that not everyone’s visual library is the same. You need to make sure it matches your art style.

Here are some tips on how to expand your visual library:

• Collect reference photo’s (preferrably ones you took)
• Create digital folders to store reference images
• Schedule in time to practice
• Expand your visual library by doing new studies
• Train your visual library by drawing things off the top of your head
• Instead of working off an image, go outside and do studies
• Keep your visual library updated as you find new interests
• Follow people with similar art style to get inspired

Visual library for a character artist

The visual library for a character artist may exist out of:

• Signature character poses
• Clothing (how it drapes over a body)
• Facial expressions
• Body and facial anatomy
• Skintones

Taking life drawing classes of models is a great way to work on your poses. If this is not possible in your area you can use the website Line of Action. It’s an online life drawing class using pictures! I highly recommend using it.

Also, consider investing in books and courses to learn anatomy. Clothing websites are great to see how clothing falls on a body.

Visual library for an environment artist

The visual library for an environment artist may exist out of:

• Foliage
• Water
• Sunsets
• Buildings
• Mountains

Plein air is a must if you’re an environment artist. Life studies are always better than working from a picture because it has a fixed composition.

Studies have shown that learning hands-on, or emerging yourself in an environment causes you to use more senses which will make you memorize the thing you’re studying better.

Plus, it’s also a lot more fun :) So go outside and sit in a park and do some environment art!

Exercises to build your visual library

Since you now know how to expand your visual library, here are some tips on how to do exercises to train your visual library:

1. Take a certain subject and do a detailed study (think of shape, details, angles etc.)
2. Use a prompt generator to generate random prompts (or upload your own prompt list) and draw those
3. Read a page from a book and draw the scene
4. Watch other people draw things from imaginiation and learn from how they do it
5. Do gesture drawings
6. Play pictonary with your (art) friends

Prompt list for character artists

Here’s a prompt list for character artists. You can copy and paste it into a prompt generator:

Tip: keep a list with your own customized prompts and upload them to a generator every time you want to practice

Prompt list for environment artists to train visual library

Here’s a prompt list for environment artists. You can copy and paste it into a prompt generator:

Tip: keep a list with your own customized prompts and upload them to a generator every time you want to practice

General prompt list for artists to train visual libray

Here’s a prompt list for any artist. You can copy and paste it into a prompt generator:

Tip: keep a list with your own customized prompts and upload them to a generator every time you want to practice

______________

I hope these tips helped you draw better from your imagination! See you next time,

♡ Laura