Compare Your Painting to the Reference Photo

You have your grid in place and the drawing is done, maybe you have already started painting. At some point you want to check how close you are to the reference. Are the proportions right? Did something shift slightly? Does something feel off but you cannot quite tell what it is?

Uploading a progress image and comparing it to the reference makes these problems much easier to spot.

1. Upload a progress image

In the Progress images section, click the + button.

You can:

Browse and upload an image from your device
Take a photo directly

Upload a progress image Upload a progress photo to compare your drawing or painting with your reference

2. Edit the progress image

To get rid of small distortions, rotate the image as necessary, adjust the perspective and crop off the background and save the picture. Adjust perspective tool Adjust perspective or so that the canvas is best visible

3. Align the progress image

Now that you saved your edits, the picture will appear on top of your reference.

Make sure your progress image matches the canvas frame and the reference image.

Only the part inside the frame is visible, so anything outside will be cropped. Adjust your image until it lines up as closely as possible.

If needed, adjust your frame first so it matches your painting proportions.

Learn how to adjust canvas frame / crop image

4. Adjust transparency

Use the transparency slider to make the progress image partially transparent.

This lets you see both:

Your painting (on top)
The reference image (below)

You can quickly spot:

shifted proportions
incorrect angles
misplaced elements

Compare reference photo with your painting or drawing in progress by lowering opacity

5. Toggle visibility

Turn the progress image on and off.

This makes it easier to compare:

with overlay (alignment check)
without overlay (overall impression)

Switching between the two often reveals mistakes immediately.

6. Toggle animation

Animation will turn the progress image on and off several times in a row. This helps to spot the differences. Sit back, watch, and notice. After several blinks, it will become apparent what can be adjusted.

7. Use multiple progress images

You can upload several progress images.

For example:

initial drawing
block-in stage
later painting stages

Turn them on and off as needed and adjust transparency to compare different stages of your work.

You can also animate them to appear in order or all at once.

Tips for taking a good progress photo

A good photo makes comparison much easier.

Keep the camera parallel to the canvas to avoid distortion
Avoid shooting at an angle
Use even lighting without strong shadows
Fill the frame with the painting
Keep the same position and lighting for consistent comparisons

Don't worry about small perspective errors or a slight camera tilt - these can be fixed in the editor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I upload a progress image?

Use the + button in the Progress images section and choose a file or take a photo.

How do I compare it to the reference?

Adjust transparency and toggle visibility to compare overlay and overall shapes.

Is the image aligned automatically?

No. You need to align it manually with the frame.

What if my drawing or painting is off?

That is the point of the comparison. Adjust the drawing or repaint the area before continuing.

How many progress images can I upload?

There is no fixed limit.

What if the colors look different?

Cameras and screens vary, so exact color matching is unreliable. Focus on values and proportions first. If those are correct, color adjustments are much easier to fix.