How to Use Reference Photos More Creatively

Do you feel like your watercolors are mostly copying photos, maybe with a few editorial changes? Here are some ideas for breaking free from "the tyranny of the photo" so you can use your photo references more creatively to express what really excites you about your subject.
UPDATE: I've just been informed by a viewer that Sketchbook is back to being a paid app ($20). May still be worth it to you, but if not, check out Kleki: kleki.com It has the same functions I use in Sketchbook. Laid out a bit differently, but click the question mark icon in the upper right for help navigating.
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00:00 intro
00:48 the problem with “painting from” photos
01:34 so why am I demonstrating that way?
03:10 a better way to use ref photos
03:31 the subject for our painting
04:44 the initial painting concept
05:48 how far can we get with this photo?
07:04 capturing the silhouette
07:28 “inventing” the island
07:48 inventing colors
08:57 what if we need more info?
10:07 a second design (same photo)
11:28 using sub-paintings
13:10 summary of the strategy
14:21 crop, don’t shrink
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Thanks for watching!