Painting in the fire here I avoid any real reference material for flames or anything like that.  I've never really understood modern painters continuing with photo realism.  Now that we can take and print a photo in literally seconds, why would anyone bother spending hours on a picture that looks exactly like a photograph (shrug). 

I did however print out some shots of sloths speeding their way up tree trunks.  I didn't really capture the unique qualities of greasy sloth hair.  I think it's a unique window into my psychy that I picture all monkeys/primates wearing a fez and a little vest.