A Comprehensive List of Creative Commons and Public Domain Art Websites.
Warning: Many clickable links in this newsletter.
I know, I know. I promised a deep dive into Paranormal Romance for Genre Genealogy this week, but let me tell you what happened. I went down an internet rabbit hole and dug up texts that I don’t think anyone has read in, well, I don’t know how long. Things from the early 1800s that fit the anatomy of paranormal romance, and now I have to read several of them and parse others. It was very exciting, until I realized it was a Tuesday night and there was no way I was getting through them in time for Friday posting. Let me say I would much rather be thorough in my research than on time (don’t tell my professors I said that!). Instead I wanted to discuss something that has been repeatedly popping up on Substack recently (perhaps this is just my algorithm), the topic of AI art.
Now I’m not going to get into the nitty gritty of the ethics and morals of using AI, I think this topic has been covered wholly and articulately by many other Substack newsletters that understand the issue in far greater depth than I do. If you are after this type of conversation I recommend the following three posts.
My objective with this newsletter though is to provide you with options for art and images outside of the AI sphere that are free to use, mostly as you wish, that is, they exist within what is known as the ‘Creative Commons’ (CC) or the Public Domain.
What is Creative Commons and how does it work?
According to their website, Creative Commons is an international not-for-profit organization that aims to empower people, “through technical, legal, and policy solutions that enable the sharing of education, culture, and science in the public interest.” The Creative Commons issues standardized ‘CC licenses’ that allow them to maintain the copyright for their own art, but also grant permission for the public to use creative works under copyright law. Each license can vary in the ways you are allowed to use the art, and checking in with the creator is necessary if the license is not clear. For instance, some companies will allow use of their art on personal blogs, but they do not allow the printing of saleable items.
Interestingly— (after writing this newsletter, I read a post about people assume frequent em-dash use is a sign that the writing is AI generated. I promise this is not the case here and I am just a human who loves to use em-dashes because they are cool.)
While Disney does not license its works under Creative Commons, the original version of Mickey Mouse, as featured in the 1928 film "Steamboat Willie", entered the public domain on January 1, 2024, meaning it can be freely used by anyone. -Creative Commons Website-
If you would like to read more about Creative Commons, please follow this link to their website. They have a wonderful blog that discusses AI art and images and regularly announces new additions to Creative Commons.
What is the Difference Between Creative Commons and Public Domain?
I have seen in several place people using these terms interchangeably, but it is important to note that they are different. As I mentioned above, Creative Commons is a license that allows the creator to retain copyright over their work whilst also allowing the public to use the work under varying terms. Artwork categorized as being ‘in the Public Domain’, is free from copyright and you can use it however you would like.
if you’re interested in the Public Domain, please visit this most excellent and engaging website! You won’t regret it.
So, Where Do I Find This Free Art?
I’m so glad you asked!
There is a misconception that art in the public domain is cringy. YES! There are some mighty horrible images out there that are only worthy of a company education slide show afternoon! But that is not where it ends.
Below is an extensive list of websites where you can score yourself free images for all your artistic needs. Please remember to still credit the artist when using images, they might be free but someone put effort into making them! And as always, check with your own country’s copyright laws.
Help me keep The Ink-Stained Desk completely free.
Public Work by Cosmos: This website contains endless, searchable art and images in a very pleasing ‘scroll anywhere on the page’ design. Warning that this one is a rabbit hole and you may need to set a timer to remind yourself to come up for air.
Canva: we are all familiar with Canva, but many tend to forget that there are free images to be had on this website.
Raw Pixel: A little like Canva, this website allows you to design creative projects with 3 million + free creative assets.
Smithsonian Open Access: contains art works, 3D models, and photos of sculptures. Just make sure you’ve checked the ‘Open Access Media (CC0)’ box at the top of your search. You can even #SmithsonianOpenAccess if using these images on social media.
‘Sea Post Clerk John Starr March's pocket watch’, ‘Edward Penfield Self-Portrait’, ‘Cat in Eakins's Yard’. Examples of open access art from the Smithsonian. Project Gutenberg Project: Most of us are familiar with Project Gutenberg, but for those that are not, they create and distribute texts that exist within the public domain in the US. (Please check the copyright laws in your own country, we in Australia are safe to use these). As such, covers and any illustrations within these books are also within the public domain. There are quite a few to be found, the trick here is to have time on your side, peruse at your leisure and save anything you find for later. You cannot just search for images or illustrations here, but instead have to scroll through books to find what you want. I like to think of it as a treasure hunt and it can be quite therapeutic while watching TV.
A favorite image from The Symptoms of Being 35, by Ring Lardner, 1921. Most public libraries in major cities will have an online database of books, journals, art and images that are in the public domain and are free to use. Many require no library card. Try New York Public Library, British Library, or my own State Library of NSW. Just remember to tick the public domain box in the search engine!
The Biodiversity Heritage Library: a must for anyone looking for images of plants, inserts, birds or any type of wildlife. This library has its collection on Flickr, but all images are licensed under the Creative Commons.
The National Gallery of Art: This is one of my favorites, if only because their search engine is so on point. 50, 000 art images for you to use as you will
The Met: need I say More!
Many emerging artists create art with a Creative Commons license. This is a great way to get their work out into the world. These may be a little more difficult to find but use a search engine, they’re out there! I can recommend The Basic Expert, who posts on both YouTube and Patreon.
Me, exhausted after listing all the open access free image sites people could be using. ‘Tired Woman Resting.’ As a note of personal preference, I think that there is no reason to need to use AI art. As you can see from the list above, there are so many options out there, and they are not all ‘ancient fuddy duddy works’ as a lovely Substacker commented last week.
On a completely unrelated subject—
The International Booker Prize 2025 Reading Challenge!
Before I say goodbye, I’d just like to mention (if you missed my call out yesterday) that I am going (attempting) to complete The International Booker Prize Reading Challenge, reading each of the books that made it to the long list. The list celebrates the best works of long-form fiction or collections of short stories translated into English and published in the UK and/or Ireland between 1 May 2024 and 30 April 2025.
I’m hoping someone, or many someones, will join me in reading, maybe we can create a little International Booker Prize reading group. Let me know if anyone is interested!
Here’s my original call out —
The winner of The International Booker Prize is announced on May 20th, so I might need to put my reading roller skates on to get through all the titles, but I’m hopeful there’s a chance.
For more information about The International Booker Prize 2025, follow the link below to view their website.
As always I hope your weekend is filled with wonderful books!
See you soon
C M Reid at The Ink-Stained Desk.
The Netherlands Rijksmuseum also has a huge collection of high resolution works of art (840,302 according to the website): https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection
THANK YOU SO MUCH OMG NOW I DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT PLAGARIZING TO MAKE MY THUMNAILS