Ever found yourself staring at Pinterest boards brimming with aesthetic photography and wondering how to use all that beauty in your artwork without copying? You’re not alone. In this post, I’m sharing how I created my spring girl digital illustration by thoughtfully blending five different reference images—each chosen for lighting, pose, fashion, or energy. The result? A unique and joyful piece that feels entirely mine.
If you’ve ever wanted to know how to use reference images without copying, this post is for you!
🌼 Why I Love Using Pinterest for Art Inspiration
Pinterest is a treasure chest for digital artists. It’s filled with beautiful photography, fashion ideas, lighting moods, and natural poses. But instead of copying any single photo, I use it more like a visual mood board. The goal is to gather pieces that spark ideas—then remix them into something fresh and personal.
For this spring girl artwork, I pulled five references that each played a unique role in shaping the final piece.
✨ The 5 Reference Images I Used for My Spring Girl Digital Illustration
1. 🌞 Lighting – The Glow That Sets the Mood
The first reference I chose was all about golden-hour lighting. The warm, dreamy tones instantly set the emotional tone for my piece. This reference helped me paint light that feels soft, magical, and soaked in sunshine—perfect for a spring girl digital illustration.
2. 🌼 Pose & Flowers – Capturing Natural Movement
The second image gave me a beautiful, spontaneous pose with wildflowers in bloom. I loved how the subject held a small flower up to her face—something about it felt so alive. This was my guide for the body language and overall composition. I adjusted the angle and details, but the feeling stayed.
3. 👗 Outfit – Those Spring Cottagecore Vibes
This reference gave me major spring cottagecore vibes. Puffy sleeves, a fitted corset-style top, and a gingham skirt—hello, dreamy forest aesthetic! I simplified the patterns and tweaked the palette to better suit my color story, but this image helped me design an outfit that feels timeless and whimsical.
4. 💁 Hair – Full of Bounce and Character
The fourth image was perfect for hairstyle inspiration. The bouncy red curls, the way they caught the light—it brought a lot of personality into the character. I didn’t replicate it exactly, but used the reference to understand volume, direction, and movement. It made my character feel more expressive and alive.
5. 🌸 Background & Atmosphere – Bringing It All Together
This final step was about blending references in digital art into a cohesive piece. I adjusted the floral color palette, added playful clouds, and gave my character a soft, open smile. The end result feels like a spring daydream—familiar, yet entirely original.
💡 How to Use Reference Images Without Copying
If you want to start using references in a creative, ethical way, here are a few of my favorite tips:
- ✅ Combine multiple references (3–5) to avoid copying one image.
- ✅ Pick different images for specific elements: light, clothing, hair, pose.
- ✅ Let your own style guide the final piece.
- ✅ Don’t trace—interpret the references with your hand and imagination.
- ✅ Have fun! The more you practice, the more natural it becomes.
When you’re learning how to use reference images without copying, it’s helpful to focus on the story you’re trying to tell. Every creative decision—pose, color, mood—can reflect your personal vision, even if it started with a photo.
✨ Final Thoughts: Blend References in Digital Art to Make It Your Own
Using references should be part of your creative toolkit, not a crutch. When you blend references in digital art, you’re not just pulling visuals—you’re building atmosphere, telling a story, and adding details that make your art feel alive. And best of all, you’re learning and growing with each piece you make.
So next time you’re piecing together a scene, scroll Pinterest with purpose. Pick that lighting you love. Save that perfect outfit. Study a pose that makes you smile. Then remix it all into your own magical creation.
And who knows? Maybe your next favorite piece will start with five images and end with one unforgettable artwork.