Kinds/types/sources of subject in visual art?

answered else's similar question, have copied , pasted answer gave her:

illustrators have call "morgue." is, collection of photographic , illustrative images of many common subjects. use these references our own, original works. if have client needs illustration of pride of lions , cubs, have access to, @ least dozen photos, clipped magazines, books , other sources. singe lion, may ideas 2 front paws 1 source, 1 rear leg another, body positioning third, head another, , expression still another. allows me create accurate, , original images without need of going out , finding real live lion draw.

morge consists of kinds of animals, fish , insects, people in different poses, costumes , unforms, hundreds of hands , feet, eyes, faces, ect. have vehicles, aircraft, boats, toys, weapons, tools, trees, flowers, landscapes , on , on.

have 4 drawer file cabinet, overflowing these clips plus, 9 linear feet of shelf space containing books , magazines hundred's more images. rather go out , sketch real life. make time it, practice, but, if need picture of abrahm's tank, know book find one. know i'm not going able go out afternoon , find one, and, perhaps client won't wait.

way, don't discount cafe idea. artist. can't practice craft without disturbing somebody. on it. will. there someon else can draw , other placed it. think van gogh got practice?

Arts & Humanities Visual Arts Drawing & Illustration Next