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Artwork,
clipart, or photos that are included in graphic arts packages
or software can be of very good quality, but are limited and
can be dated.Each company I worked for had some sources for
good clip art and logo helpers in their professional software.
Of
course, sometimes I drew my own art, but for the sake of speed
(and my limitations!) I often used commercial art source books.
These
books are sometimes online and charge for every logo, piece
of artwork, or photo. A good commercial piece of art can be
pricey, and well worth it. For people like me, who donŐt have
much extra money, it can pay to find FREE art and photo sites.
THE
BEST SITES AND CLICKABLE LINKS FOR YOU
I
am now almost ready to list the best free sites that I have
found so far. Before I do, it is important to read these handy
hints.
FIVE
HANDY TIPS TO READ BEFORE DOWNLOADING ART OR PHOTOS
FROM THE INTERNET:
Always
check out every FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page on
each art or photo web page. Be sure that you are following
the rules for each web page.
1.
Know the policy for each web page when it comes to using
their artwork. Some sites listed here are free, but only
for personal use. Other websites allow you to use all of
the images commercially as well. If a website is offering
public domain art, they may or may not have a copyright
on the artwork. Just check this out on the FAQ as well.
2.
Be aware that some sites have both free and pay areas. You
may migrate to another area without knowing it on the very
same website. On some websites, you can make one mistaken
click and be on a pay area. Be sure to check which area
of the site (the free or the pay area) you are in before
you download artwork or photos. You will not have to pay
until you OK each purchase, if you want to purchase art
or photos.
3.
Know where you are going to download. Most sites allow you
to pick where your artwork will wind up on your computer.
I find it easiest to put all my art or ebook downloads on
the computer desktop. You may find your art folder handiest.
4.
It is totally up to you where you put your downloaded artwork.
Some computers, programs, or web browsers have a preferences
folder where you can send your art or photos automatically.
You need to have this information furnished before you download.
5. Check out
all the information about copyright (below) and on the web.
This will help you only download art, information, books,
or photos that are legal for you to use.
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Attention:
some of these sites may have popups, or ads that pop
up on your computer when you go to them. Fix your popups
in your preferences area and it might help.
Also, you can just "X"
out of these at the upper right of the popup window
when you get them, and the page you really wanted will
turn up underneath them.
So... just a word to
the wise. These pages are free, but some can be annoying
at times.
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AAA-GENERAL
CLIPART:
Microsoft Clipart
pages
Wow.
The Microsoft clipart pages definitely are a major resource,
especially for PC users. I have found SO many great images
here. Microsoft does have links to some pay areas where you
can find other types of artwork, too, but the clipart pages
are FREE. Microsoft has moving clip art, retro clip art, and
brand-new-looking designer clip art.
Make
sure if you have a Mac, that you have a full version of MS
Word on your computer so that you can download these easier.
It really does make it worth getting Microsoft Word just to
get this free clipart if you can afford that.
Just
browse the clipart or search using keywords such as shoes
or people to find hundreds of great FREE artwork
to use on your projects. Mac users: if you can, get MS Word
so you can access these. Just going there to look will let
you know why. After you buy the program, you can use Internet
Explorer to put new graphics into the "add clipart"
section of MS Word for you.
You
can also download sounds on these pages, along with clipart
that moves. The art on these pages come in both one color
and multi-color.
FREE
Avery Clip Art collection online:
The
Avery site, which is a commercial site, does not just have
templates for their famous stickers and labels. They also
have free templates for folders and other art. This is a great
place to explore. Not as big as Microsoft, but there are a
few good ones here.
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Public
Domain Media links
This
nice website designed by 4J Library Coordinator Sheryl
Steinke has text, audio, video and graphic sites all
in an easy-to-read chart that helps you find just what
you need.
Clip
art and photo links
Cool
dark and scary clipart
I
would say to use this collection for Halloween or just
plain scary websites or copy.
3D Cafe
This
website has some free stuff; however, you must link
back to the website if you use the art commercially.
Refer to the site for details.
My
Hideaway.com
This
site offers free graphics.
Kelta
Free Clipart
This
clipart is for personal use only.
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Clipart links
Tudogs
Most
people think of the Tudogs site as being primarily a
software site featuring shareware and freeware.
It also has some very nice clipart, too.
WARNING:
I have recently tried to go on the website and could
not get the email back from them.
Perhaps
you will have better luck.
Clipix
free clip art
Weganast
Graphic Links
Free building
clipart
More
clip art links:
Screen
resolution images are royalty-free here, and you can
use as many as you want. You only pay if you want to
get the full-screen versions.
Absolute Web graphics
Absolute
web graphics allows visitors to pay only $7.96 to download
all the art on the site. Single art pieces (one
download per item) are free.
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ANTIQUE
AND HISTORIC CLIPART
CELTIC
CLIPART
EDUCATIONAL
CLIPART
Pics
For Learning
This
is another cool and free clipart site geared towards educational
use, but you may very well find some things here to use, even
if you arenŐt a teacher.
Classroom Clipart
PHOTOGRAPHS
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NEW
- 12-11-07: The Stock Exchange Photo site. This site has many photos,
and all for free. I can't wait to explore here to see
these photos. This came recommended by a web designer.
Then
Public Domain Photo database
This
site is FREE for non-commercial use. Do you need to
use this art commercially? Just ask the artists for
permission first. This may involve a fee.
Imageafter.com
The
Imageafter site has FREE art for personal OR commercial
use.
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Photographers
make it, to be changed at will, if you need to change
it.
The only thing you canŐt do is use the pictures on an
online resource site like theirs.
Morguefile
Another
FREE art site VERY nice and professional-looking photos
Use as needed, just donŐt compete with another free
site using their images.
Free
Foto
This
site offers free photos for non-commercial sites.
http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp
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MORE
ABOUT PUBLIC DOMAIN CLIPART AND ARTWORK
The
best thing about public domain artwork is that most of it
can be used for any project. It can also be changed or redone.
You can also use part of each image to make something new.
As
a general definition, artwork in the public domain is published
art after 1924. The original copyright holder(s) are gone,
and/or they did not fill out the required paperwork to extend
the original copyright. This art is sometimes now free for
public use.
Most
public domain sites let you use the artwork for anything,
and many give it away for free - - but make sure you check
first to make sure that this is the story for each site you
visit.
Some
sites have found public domain art and have published them
with copyright. For this reason, you should read all the fine
print on the site (FAQs etc.) , just in case.
MORE
SITES TO EXPLORE:
A
LITTLE ABOUT ART COPYRIGHT
People
must be careful about not using books artwork on the internet
that is copyrighted - - without permission from the artist
or author. They must be extra careful to only use artwork
that is in the public domain or that the artist him or herself
has okayed for personal or commercial use - - or both.
WHAT
IS COPYRIGHTED ON THE INTERNET?
Just
about everything. If in doubt, always assume that art, clipart,
and written copy is all copyrighted. It does not even need
an official copyright (©) symbol to automatically have
a copyright.
It is important to know that using any artwork without the
permission of the artist or author (if the art is not in the
public domain) is not allowed. If in doubt, check, and ask.
Here
is a little more about copyright:
Copyright
on Wikipedia
You
can learn even more at the Project Gutenberg website.
CAVEAT
EMPTOR... downloader beware...
I
do request that you double-check all of the sites listed in
this ebook to make sure that the artwork is totally free and
clear for you to use personally or commercially; or both.
Usually, the site will announce its copyright policy. It is
possible, though, that the website owner may offer both free
and copyrighted art on his or her site.
To
be safe, follow all of the site instructions.
The
site may request that you only use the artwork for personal
use (or on a personal website). They may change from a free
to a pay site after time. That is another reason why it is
important to always read the site guidelines for art and copy
downloading.
Some
websites may allow you to use low-resolution (low-res) copies
of their artwork, but charge for higher resolution images.
Also,
websites change from time to time. Be sure to read all the
fine print on all art and photo websites to make sure you
are downloading or using legal artwork or photos the way the
artist or author wishes them used.
MORE
ABOUT THE WEBSITES ON THIS PAGE
These
sites run the gamut from cartoon-ish clipart to very professional
full-color photos. Some sites let you upload your own artwork
or photographs to their site for others to use. This can be
rewarding if you are a professional or amateur who wants to
get people to visit your website or portfolio site.
Do
you have another site that you would like to add to this page?
I am going to do another ebook, too with this information
plus new sites.
The
first ebook I did (with some of the same information as on
this page) is available for
free download here.
Let
me know about other great free or public domain sites that
you like by visiting my website (below) and sending
me an email.
Thanks!
I really appreciate it.
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