The Bonnie Knight - Reference Pack: is this $16 stack worth it for Photography?
The Bonnie Knight reference pack for painters who can’t find good armor light
You know that moment when you’re rendering a knight and the armor just looks like flat gray plastic? You’ve scoured Pinterest, watched three YouTube tutorials on “how to paint metal,” and still can’t nail the way light snaps off a polished breastplate. That’s the exact problem Howard Lyon built The Bonnie Knight reference pack to solve. This isn’t a generic stock photo bundle; it’s a targeted study set of a real fighter in authentic gear, captured specifically to show you how light behaves on historical armor.
For $16, you get a 1.74 GB zip file containing over 790 high-resolution images of Bonnie, a world champion in double axes and pole-ax combat. Lyon didn’t just take a few posed shots; he had her run through rotations, weapon turns, and dynamic poses to capture the full range of reflections and highlights you need for your own work. If you’re stuck on the “shiny metal” problem in your paintings, this is the kind of specific, high-density reference material that actually moves your process forward. (The Bonnie Knight - Reference Pack)
Quick answer
| Best for | Concept artists, illustrators, and painters who need accurate, high-resolution reference for historical armor and weapon handling. |
| Skip if | You’re looking for generic fashion photography, need RAW files for color grading, or aren’t working on a project involving armor. |
| Price | $16 |
| Format | 1.74 GB ZIP file with 790+ high-resolution images |
| One-line take | A dense, purpose-built armor reference set that turns the “how do I paint metal” struggle into a solvable problem. |
What you’re actually buying
At $16, the value here isn’t just the volume of images—it’s the specificity of the content. You’re getting 790+ frames of a single subject in authentic gear, which means you can study the consistency of light across different angles and movements. Lyon explicitly designed this shoot to address the difficulty of finding good reference for shining armor, so every image is a study in how light interacts with polished metal surfaces. (The Bonnie Knight - Reference Pack)
The pack includes a wide variety of poses and weapon turns, which is crucial for understanding how armor moves and reflects light in dynamic scenes. You’re not just getting static portraits; you’re getting a library of motion and reflection that you can directly apply to your own paintings. The fact that the armor is authentic down to the shoes (which, as Lyon notes, tore up his photo backdrop) adds a layer of realism and detail that’s hard to replicate with costume pieces. (The Bonnie Knight - Reference Pack)
The license is clear and artist-friendly: the images come without copyright restriction when re-interpreted into your own work, but the photos themselves may not be republished, sold, or distributed. This means you can use these references freely in your own paintings, illustrations, or concept art without worrying about legal gray areas. It’s a clean, professional setup that lets you focus on your art, not on licensing headaches. (The Bonnie Knight - Reference Pack)
Why it’s on our radar
This pack stands out because it solves a very specific, common pain point for artists working with armor. Finding high-quality, consistent reference for metal surfaces is notoriously difficult; most stock photos are either too generic, poorly lit, or feature costume armor that doesn’t have the weight and detail of real gear. Lyon’s approach—using a real fighter in authentic armor, captured with a focus on light and reflection—makes this a uniquely useful tool. (The Bonnie Knight - Reference Pack)
The density of the pack (790+ images) also makes it a strong value proposition. For $16, you’re getting a comprehensive library that can serve as a long-term reference for multiple projects, not just a one-off. It’s the kind of resource that pays for itself in time saved and accuracy gained. (The Bonnie Knight - Reference Pack)
What actually matters
Before you buy, consider whether your current projects actually need this level of armor reference. If you’re working on a fantasy piece, a historical scene, or a character design involving armor, this pack will be immediately useful. If your work is primarily character design without armor, or if you’re focused on other elements like fabric or skin, you might not get as much value from it. (The Bonnie Knight - Reference Pack)
Also, check the file format and resolution. The pack is a 1.74 GB ZIP, which suggests high-resolution images, but you’ll want to confirm that the resolution is sufficient for your workflow, especially if you’re working on large-format prints or high-DPI screens. The fact that it’s a single ZIP file makes it easy to download and organize, but you’ll need enough disk space to store and access the images. (The Bonnie Knight - Reference Pack)
Finally, consider the scope of the poses. The pack includes rotations and weapon turns, which is great for dynamic scenes, but if you need specific poses that aren’t covered, you might still need to supplement with other references. That said, the variety is extensive enough that it should cover most common armor poses and movements. (The Bonnie Knight - Reference Pack)
Mid-check
FAQ
Can I use these images in my own artwork?
Yes, the images come without copyright restriction when re-interpreted into your own work. You can use them as references for your paintings, illustrations, or concept art. However, you may not republish, sell, or distribute the original photos themselves. (The Bonnie Knight - Reference Pack)
What’s included in the 1.74 GB file?
The file contains over 790 high-resolution images of Bonnie in authentic armor, captured in various poses and weapon turns. The images are designed to show you how light and reflection behave on armor surfaces, making them ideal for reference in your own work. (The Bonnie Knight - Reference Pack)
Is the armor authentic?
Yes, the armor is authentic down to the shoes. Lyon worked with Bonnie, a world champion in double axes and pole-ax combat, to ensure that the gear was real and historically accurate. This authenticity adds a layer of detail and realism that’s hard to replicate with costume pieces. (The Bonnie Knight - Reference Pack)
Bottom line
If you’re an artist who struggles with painting armor, The Bonnie Knight reference pack is a no-brainer. For $16, you get a dense, purpose-built library of high-resolution images that directly address the “shiny metal” problem. The specificity of the content, the authenticity of the gear, and the clear license make it a valuable tool for anyone working with armor in their art.