DM resources for stock images

Question

When I create a campaign, I generally create a whole new world. The problem with this is that even though I have a plethora of amazing ideas, I just can't handle all the drawing and visuals that I like to show my players while they play.

I usually just use Google to search for some images of monsters, castles, forest, etc. I then put these images on my iPad and display them when they are relevant. Do you have any resources or tips for finding images like this? Preferably images which all follow the same "style".

Answer 1

Google has an option to find "similar images", as well as the ability to search for images by main color. This will often result in returning images of the same style.

There is also another service that I used many years ago, which I will have to find again, which allows you to search for images by comparing it to another image. (Or even by drawing vague shapes that you want)

Here are some sites, I can't find the original site I knew of from art school.

http://www.tiltomo.com/

http://www.systemone.at/en/ecosystem/labs or http://labs.systemone.at/retrievr/

Answer 2

Pick a few favorite images and try to find out who created them (a large percent of them should have some kind of signature: look for it either on the image or somewhere near it (in its title etc.) For unknown painters/photographers and images, try TinEye.

Once you've got the name of the painter/photographer, google it (not the theme, as you say in your Q.) Finding the official portfolio site of a given artist is possibly the best way to find images of the same style and theme. ;)

Answer 3

Computer game concept work sometimes is a great source of inspiration. Things that spring to mind are the Witcher, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and so on... They can get you some nice drawn characters, monsters, and environments.

In addition, whatever source of inspiration for your game, do google image that. You maybe surprised. For example, google "spooky forest" or "pink unicorn" or "transhuman space ship". I find that the colour chooser can give you some nice artwork in the same shades.

Finally, there is a photo.net which has a lot of exposures that you can use for places, characters, scenes, etc... If you ask the author nicely, they may even allow you to photoshop their work to add features. This is the site I use to find characters' portraits if I need one.