LINKS
TO
GRAPHICS WEBSITES

Collected here are links to the various websites from which I have taken graphics and photos.   Some are large, with thousands of pictures, icons, backgrounds, and other odds and ends, all roughly sorted out into categories.   Some are small personal websites devoted to particular topics.   Much of the material is so-called "freeware", meaning that it is in the public domain, or at least has been made free for use by anyone without conditions attached.  In other cases, the graphics are freely available only to personal sites such as this one; and there may be further requirements - most commonly, that the source be credited and a link be provided back to the site from which the material came.   ("Linkware", this is called).
        It's funny; but, in academic writing, one always used to cite sources in footnotes.   Then they went over to end notes; then to tiny citations in parentheses in the text, referring to the bibliography.   Now the ultra-modern, hi-tech Web has us back with good old-fashioned footnotes again.   And what is this "Links" page but a bibliography?   Of course, in these electronic days, you don't have to go to the library any more to look up a reference.   Click on a link, and the book is fetched and the pages turned for you:   I suppose that, at least, does count as progress.

Site Policy Even though there are graphics that are nigh on ubiquitous, they are - from an artistic perspective - as deserving (or not) as any current web artist's creation.   After all, every graphic was invented by someone, sometime.   And all graphics have to be obtained from somewhere, unless one makes them oneself.   On the actual webpages on which they appear, all graphics are footnoted with text links, whether the site from which I obtained them requires this or not.   But, as not all sites have logos, and not all logos are of the same size (quite apart from clashing colours and styles), the webpages do not have logos in the footnotes.   Instead, the logos appear here. There are many sites whose owners ask, nicely, that they be given credit for their work (which they deserve) and a link back so that others may look at what they have done (which I am happy to give them).   And when such people want to have their logo somewhere on site, they get it - here.   Such people clearly respect other people's wish to preserve the integrity of the layout and colour scheme that has been devised for each individual webpage.  I respect their respect.         Sadly, there are a few sites whose owners require - less than politely - that their logo be put on each webpage if any graphic of theirs be used, no matter how many graphics from other sources also appear on the page, and no matter if their logo clashes with the colour scheme of the webpage or spoils the layout.   There are also sites that claim to be "free" but require you to hand over your e-mail address before you may use them.   You will find links all over this website; but you won't find any to them. I try to give sources for every graphic I use on every page on which it is used.   If you see something you like, look at the footnotes.   There you will find out where I got it; and you can go and get it for yourself.   It's better you do that than take it off my site, because - you never know - you might see something you like even better.

Free Clipart Network
www.free-clipart.net

A major source of free clipart and background graphics.   They say 25,000, and I don't have any trouble believing it.   Clearly, much of the art is old:   a lot is black and white; and the colour art is often stylistically out of date.   But there is a lot here that is eminently usable.   The material is roughly divided into categories; but it still takes a long time to go through it all.   Worth it, though.

All Free Original Clipart
www.free-graphics.com

This one says 30,000 free graphics.   Actually, a lot of them are the same as in the first site - but not all.

Also try:
      www.free-graphics.com/balls/bullets
for access to a fine collection of backgrounds, banners, bars, buttons, balls, and bullets.   (Web-types really seem fond of words that start with "b".)   You'll find examples all over my website.

100000 Free Cliparts
www.100000freecliparts.com

Okay, now this site is really hard to get into safely, unless you have software to block pop-ups.   It's part of what I call the Pernicious Pop-Up Ring - a web ring of graphics sites that not only have links on each other's pages, but use a particularly virulent pop-up software that downright swarms you till sometimes the only help for it is to switch off.   However, sometimes you'll be lucky; and the pop-up machine will be looking elsewhere; and you'll be able to nip into the site unnoticed.   Fortunately, once you're in there it's okay.
        So why am I putting the site in here?   (And so high up the list, too!)   Well, although it has a fair selection of clipart, the real attraction is its little bits and bobs, i.e. those "b" words.   Practically every webpage I write has something on it from this graphics site:   check my footnotes.   I particularly like the bars and lines; but there are also some nice backgrounds, balls, and arrows.  Many of them appear on other sites, of course. (There are some graphics that are everywhere.)

Fortunately, whatever you click on (and I suggest you do it fast before the pop-ups hit), once you are into the site, the centre of the page turns into the display area for the graphics.   Well, okay, the bottom of the page is the display area.   Avoid the top:   it's links again.
        Once you are into the site, the drop-down menu is available above the display area; so you need not go back to the main page.
        The cute "b" stuff is all found at the very bottom of the drop-down menu (keep scrolling!) under the heading "Webart".   Once you click on that, you'll effectively enter a whole new sub-website, with its own menu of delights.

GRSites
www.grsites.com

This site has a wide selection of "b" stuff, and a reasonable selection of miscellaneous assorted graphics.   Much of this is familiar from elsewhere, of course, but there are definitely a lot of goodies.   However, the real reason to come to this site is the lovely backgrounds.
        The basic backgrounds mostly are familiar from elsewhere, though there are a lot to choose from.   But there is a very useful program for modifying the colour.   In particular, you can make the design lighter or darker - and dark, richly coloured backgrounds are not so easily come by on the sites I put first on the list.   You can also change the hue, though there are restrictions on how far this can be taken, especially with multi-coloured graphics.   Nevertheless, a high proportion of the Notes pages on this site use one or more of these doctored backgrounds.   It's an excellent way to get textures that are compatible in colour.  You can also change the size of the pattern.
        As on a number of other sites that have a large section for backgrounds, you can preview how the graphic will tile - which is handy, since it is surprising how different it can be from what you think (in particular, how light an apparently dark choice will look when spread over the whole page).   As well, there are programs for using your selected background pattern to make custom buttons and logos.
        One more thing:   the Handy Dandy Gadget can be used with graphics that come from other sites or have been stored on your own computer.   As one can tile anything (according to the books I learned HTML from), you can import bullets, bars, and clipart to play with.   This is no minor point, since the colour range of the commonly available freeware bullets and bars is fairly restricted.   Also (albeit to a very limited degree), one can use the software to colorize black-and-white and halftone images.

Altered graphics from other sites still require a link back to GRSites. After all, you have used their software to make the changes.

***Linkware***

321Clipart
www.321clipart.com

Despite the name, the clipart proper is actually of minor interest.   Again, you want to check out the backgrounds:   a large collection, many of which are very rich, dark patterns that you won't find elsewhere, but also some glittery ice.   There are also some nice "b"s of other sorts.   And then there are the alphabets - not fonts, but individual letters to be saved as separate gifs.   Unfortunately, most of them are on white backgrounds, the rest on black; so their use is limited.   Also they don't always match up evenly in spacing.   They would, however, in the right place, make very good initial letters for headings, titles, or paragraphs.

***Linkware***

AmboGraphics Art
www.ambographics.com/graphics-index.htm

A beautiful collection of "b"s, most of them intricately patterned in soft rich colours with a ceramic (or occasionally metallic or woven) finish.   A link is requested.   If you like subtle tones, check this site out.   The bullets are button sized, and the buttons make very nice tiles.   Each pattern comes in sets, in a variety of different tones.   I've used them on more than one of my inner pages.

***Linkware***

Hellas Multimedia
www.hellasmultimedia.com/webimages

This is another site with a large collection of clipart - a very different collection from that on the first two sites listed, with little overlap.   A significant proportion is holiday or seasonal in theme, though there are certainly other subsections as well, notably the florals.   The site also has a good basic selection of backgrounds, bullets, lines, and such.   I strongly suggest checking this site out if you are looking for graphics for Christmas, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, or the like.

J's Magic Graphics Gallery
http://jsmagic.net/

An excellent selection of seasonal clipart, at least for the major holidays, as well as a few other, more idiosyncratic collections.   Most of the graphics are transparencies.   There are also reproductions of the fronts of a number of Victorian greeting cards.   I strongly recommend that you check this site out as well if you are looking for graphics for Christmas, Halloween, or the like.   The graphics are copyright-free; but a link is requested.

***Linkware***

Graphics Station
www.oocities.org/SiliconValley/6603/

NO LONGER ACTIVE

A basic selection of free graphics of various types, especially icons.   There is, however, a linkware section with some nice backgrounds, including a selection of lace and plaid.   I could wish for a greater variety of colour (cream and ivory lace is notably missing, as are dark tartans like Black Watch); but this is an unusual selection of backgrounds, and not to be missed.
Can be slow to download.

***Linkware***

The Icon Bazaar
www.iconbazaar.com

A good selection in just about all categories, but sometimes a bit idiosyncratic in its specialization.   A high proportion of the backgrounds are pastels, for example, though there are also some very pretty ones that look like ceramic tiles.   For some reason, there is a magnificent selection of headings and dividers with Egyptian motifs.   And there are a lot of very good flower and animal pictures.
        Unfortunately, the site policy is to limit the number of graphics that you are permitted to use for free to a maximum of twenty.   How much this affects one will, of course, depend on the extent to which one uses graphics; but I would suggest looking over other sites' collections first, taking all that one can elsewhere, and using The Icon Bazaar only for those specific things in which it specializes.

Logo Required

Flamin's Florals
www.angelfire.com/pa/FlaminJune

A small site devoted to flower graphics.   There are others, but this one probably has the widest choice (though I suggest you also try Hellas Multimedia, since there's little overlap).   Yes, you'll find most of them elsewhere; but there they are scattered, and here they are collected together for your selection.  Pity about the darn Angelfire pop-ups.   Click 'em off...click 'em off...click 'em off...click 'em off....

Canadian Flag Clip Art Gallery
http://canflag.ptbcanadian.com

Another small site with a specific focus.   There are several similar ones; but my impression is that this has the largest selection.   Flags, maple leaves, silhouettes of the Canadian provinces, and other similar national images.

AAA Free Backgrounds and Textures
www.AAAbackgrounds.com

A good selection of backgrounds in a variety of subtle colours like brown, beige, and sage green, including marble, ceramic tile, and Oriental carpet patterns (as well as the graphics that every site has).

Design and Create
www.designandcreate.com

A moderately sized collection of various types of graphics, some of which you won't find elsewhere.   Interesting backgrounds, including a selection of brick walls in different sizes and shades:   unlike those found on most sites, these actually include a few that tile properly, and look quite realistic.   As is so often the case, the site contents are accessed through the sidebar on the left.

***Linkware***

Syruss.com
www.syruss.com/index.php

A large collection of backgrounds, and a rather smaller one of assorted clipart and "b"s of various types.   The backgrounds are mostly familiar from other sites, but by no means all; and even the others are often available in several different shades.   Worth a look if you have the time.

Light Speed Web Graphics
Fireball Web Backgrounds
Godspeed Web Graphics
www.light-speed-web-graphics.com.

This link seems to lead to graphics from at least three different sources; but they clearly have a lot in common.   It's a large collection, primarily of backgrounds, most of which are animated.   They have been designed for quick download:   the actual graphic to be tiled is astonishingly small.   Some are quiet, giving a subtle background shimmer.   Others have a startling fairground dazzle, and have to be approached with caution:   I'm not joking when I warn you that you could give someone a migraine.   But, then again, you might be wanting to make a title page for a story set at a carnival.
        Besides the graphics themselves, the site contains directions for using them, not only as tiled backgrounds, but also to make borders, buttons, and animated lines.   A bit allusive:   they assume you know what you're doing; so you'll have to try things hands on and work things out for yourself to some degree.
        Also check out the butterflies.   Very pretty colour combinations.

Simple GIFS
http://members.cruzio.com/~djj/calvary/sg.html

NO LONGER ACTIVE

This site has a small collection of crosses in different styles, generally simple with different backgrounds, but a few fancy ones.

Mystic Cat's Free Graphics
www/angelfire.com/az2/MysticCat/pubgraphs.html

NO LONGER ACTIVE

A small site with a mystical theme - pagan symbols, stars and moons, crystal balls, and fairies.   The site owner requires that a link be placed to www.mysticcat.net.

***Linkware***

Webweaver.nu
www.webweaver.nu/clipart/

As clipart collections go, this is rather small compared with the ones I listed first; but it is useful because it includes several things not found at other sites.   In particular, there is a selection of clipart with Egyptian and Celtic themes, and several Victorian Christmas pictures.   A link is requested.

***Linkware***

Graphics Software
www.graphicssoft.com

A fairly large selection of backgrounds, many of them looking like wallpaper patterns.   The floral backgrounds are especially noteworthy.

***Linkware***

Aon Celtic Art
www.aon-celtic.com

A very nice selection of Celtic shapes, many of them in interlace style, others with La Tene-style curves.   There are a number of roundels and lozenges, several different versions of Celtic crosses, stylized animals, and a range of dividers of different lengths.
        The patterns are transparent gifs, best used on pale backgrounds only.   Some of the designs have quite subtle or dramatic combinations of colours; and, for many, a selection of different colour combinations is available.   Sometimes, unfortunately, the colours are rather bright and simple, especially on the earlier designs.   However, the basic black & white patterns are also made available, for those who might prefer to do their own colouring.

***Linkware***

Bradley Schenk
www.webomator.com/bws/

A small choice selection of Celtic shapes, generally in bronze and enamel shades, as well as the bits and pieces to make interlace frames in any size you wish.   The latter come with instructions, thank goodness.   Credit and a link are requested.

***Linkware***

Celtic or Knot
http://www.celtic-clipart.co.uk/cork/home/htm

Another choice collection of Celtic-style graphics, including some handsome bosses and buttons in rich muted tones or metallics.   There are also several backgrounds with Celtic designs on them.

***Linkware***

Gaelic Girl's Gifs
http://gaelicgirl.tripod.com/medieval.html

A collection of fantasy and medieval graphics, including a number of fleur-de-lys and shields in different styles, as well as clipart.

Neferchichi's Tomb
www.neferchichi.com/clipart/html

A small Egyptian-themed site, with a number of icons and small graphics in the shape of hieroglyphs, canopic jars, Egyptian gods, and the like.   A link is required.   Could be politer; but I take the wording to be intended as a joke.

***Linkware***

Poison's Icons
http://members.aol.com/poison64/

A small collection of graphics on North American Indian themes, most of them fairly tiny in size, but nicely made.   A link is requested.

***Linkware***

Scottish Clip Art
www.fortunecity.com/bally/youghal/7/scottishclipart.htm

A small collection of clipart with Scottish motifs, including thistles, lions, and cartoons.

Squidfingers
www.squidfingers.com

This site has a moderately sized collection of backgrounds that look rather like old-fashioned wallpaper in style, small-figured, mostly in mono- or duo-chrome, especially subdued teal, olive, rust, and beige on white.   To find the patterns, look at the sidebar on the left.

Leo's Icon Archive
www.iconarchive.com

A collection of icons from a variety of sources, of variable quality, mostly linkware.   All small, of course, being icons.   There are also a number of alphabets of fancy letters for use as initials, and a small collection of the usual "b" items.

Terms of use vary depending on the source
of the material, so you need to check.

The icons tend to be available in zipped collections, from which you have to extract the files.   A maximum of thirty items may be used from the archive.