Graphics Programs for Creating Your Own Painting Sources

The best graphics programs for creating your own painting sources are Canva, Photoshop, and Pixlr on a computer, Procreate and Photomator on an iPad, and Snapseed on a phone. Each device does a different job well, so the real skill is not picking one tool, it is knowing which tool serves which step of your process. Capture on your phone, explore on your iPad, refine on your computer, and you build a reference that fits your vision instead of settling for whatever you found.

As artists, we are always hunting for strong reference photos for painting. The right source image can elevate a painting before you ever touch the canvas. And creating your own source is easier now than it has ever been, thanks to powerful tools sitting in your pocket, on your desk, and on your lap. The key is using them to support your creative vision, not to overwhelm it.

Why should you create your own painting sources?

Because building your own reference puts you in control of the painting from the very first decision. When you design the source yourself, you take ownership of composition, lighting, value structure, and the mood and story you want the piece to carry. Instead of copying what already exists, you become the designer of the painting before a single brush moves. These tools are not shortcuts. Think of them as creative partners that let you make stronger decisions earlier.

What graphics programs work best on a computer?

Your computer is where you go deep, refining, compositing, and building complex references with real intention. Three programs cover almost everything a painter needs.

1. Canva. Approachable and surprisingly capable. It is perfect for quick compositions, combining multiple images, testing layouts and crops, and adding planning notes. It is especially helpful if you are newer to digital tools or just want something fast and intuitive. There is a free tier, with a low monthly cost for premium features.
2. Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. These are the industry standards for a reason. Photoshop handles advanced photo manipulation, value studies, color adjustments, layering several references into one cohesive image, and building dramatic lighting. Illustrator is vector based and useful for simplifying shapes and planning graphic elements. They give you full control, but expect a learning curve and a higher monthly cost.
3. Pixlr. A genuinely good free alternative that lives right in your browser. You can adjust values and colors, crop and refine composition, layer images much like Photoshop, and sharpen your focal point. If you want Photoshop style functionality without the price, start here.

What graphics programs work best on an iPad?

The iPad is where digital meets intuitive. It feels close to drawing or painting, which makes it a natural home for ideation and exploration.

1. Procreate. One of the most loved tools among artists, and for good reason. It offers a natural drawing experience, easy layering and blending, custom brushes, and even animation tools for exploring movement. You can sketch directly over your reference, simplify shapes, or redesign the whole composition. It is a one time purchase rather than a subscription, which makes it even easier to commit to.
2. Photomator. Excellent for advanced color adjustments, working with RAW images, cleaning up distractions with its repair tool, and enhancing lighting and atmosphere. It brings serious editing into a simple interface.
3. Pixelmator Pro. Available on Mac and iPad, it adds AI powered tools and professional level editing without the complexity, with smooth integration across your devices. These are perfect when you want strong results without getting lost in technical detail.

What graphics programs work best on a phone?

Your phone is always with you, which makes it one of your most powerful creative tools. Use it to capture ideas, edit on the go, and build references wherever you happen to be.

1. Snapseed. Simple, clean, and surprisingly capable. You can adjust brightness and contrast to clarify your values, add structure and detail, use selective editing to guide the viewer’s focus, and apply subtle filters to test a mood. It is perfect for quick edits that strengthen a reference in seconds.
2. Photomator on mobile. Brings advanced tools into your pocket. It can automatically separate subject from background, remove unwanted objects with smart healing, and fine tune color and lighting with precision. This is especially useful when you want to lift an ordinary photo into something genuinely paint worthy.

Phone, iPad, or computer: which should you use?

The honest answer is not one or the other, it is how you combine them. Use your phone for capturing and quick edits, your iPad for sketching, ideation, and creative exploration, and your computer for refining and building polished references. Think of it as a creative pipeline rather than three separate tools. The same idea grows stronger as it moves from one device to the next.

How do you keep the process simple and intentional?

By coming back to the essentials every time, no matter how many tools you own. With this much software available, it is easy to overcomplicate things and lose the painting inside the editing. So return to what actually matters: a clear value structure, a strong composition, intentional lighting, and a compelling focal point. The program does not make the painting. Your decisions do. Use these tools to support your vision, never to replace it.

When you want to widen your raw material, a deep library of royalty free photos for artists gives you legal, high quality images to start from, and a broader look at the digital art tools worth owning helps you build a kit that fits how you actually work.

The fastest way to put all of this into practice is to make something. Our free Two Week Challenge walks you through building and painting from your own source, step by step, instead of just reading about it. And when you want to keep going, the rest of the oil painting techniques collection is here for you.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best app for creating painting references?

There is no single best app, because each device does a different job well. On a computer, Canva, Photoshop, and Pixlr handle compositing and value work. On an iPad, Procreate and Photomator let you sketch and edit intuitively. On a phone, Snapseed handles fast edits. The best app is the one matched to the step you are on.

Can I create painting references on my phone?

Yes. Your phone is one of your strongest creative tools because it is always with you. Snapseed lets you adjust brightness and contrast to clarify values, sharpen detail, and guide the eye with selective edits. Photomator can separate subject from background and remove distractions. Capture an idea anywhere, then refine it later on a larger screen.

Is Procreate good for making painting references?

Procreate is excellent for references because it feels close to real drawing. You can sketch directly over a photo, simplify shapes, redesign the composition, and test layers and blending. It is a one time purchase rather than a subscription, which makes it an easy tool to commit to for iPad work.

Do I need Photoshop to make a good painting source?

No. Photoshop is powerful for layering references, building dramatic lighting, and running value studies, but it has a learning curve and a monthly cost. Pixlr runs free in your browser with similar layering and value tools, and Canva handles quick compositions. Many strong references never touch Photoshop at all.

Why should I create my own painting source instead of using a photo?

Building your own reference puts you in control of composition, lighting, value structure, and mood from the very start. Instead of copying what already exists, you design the painting before you touch the canvas. A found photo limits you to its choices. A reference you build serves your vision.