References help you to avoid inventing something that has already been created and instead focus on conveying the original ideas. Gamedev Punks has collected 115 resources filled with all kinds of references for artists and animators. We also divided them into categories for your convenience.

From rendering anatomy accurately, comprehending volumes, mastering color and shading, choosing appropriate costumes and character traits, deriving inspiration, setting project mood, or grasping unfamiliar details — our guide provides resources to help you with everything.

Primary Resources

• ArtStation: A premier platform for artists to display their portfolios. Almost all the pros exhibit their works here.
• Pinterest: An invaluable website for exploring and storing references. Its algorithm recommends similar images based on your selections. You can create themed boards and subscribe to others for constant inspiration.
• Huaban: The Chinese counterpart of Pinterest with a Chinese interface. It is a treasure trove of fascinating images a few people know about.
• DeviantArt: The website still offers a huge repository of art, photographers, cosplayers, and naturists alike.
• Character Design References: This site provides extensive concept art, design ideas, and artbooks from diverse artists. It also hosts challenges and interviews with artists.
• PhotoBash: A large platform where you can purchase comprehensive packs of reference photos. Primarily meant for photobashing, these materials also serve as excellent regular references.
• SketchFab: Similar to Artstation but with a focus on 3D. It allows you to view and rotate 3D models in the browser. Works are organized into categories like architecture, characters, vehicles, and others.
• Stock Libraries: Shutterstock, iStockPhoto, GettyImages, Depositphotos, Adobe Stock, Unsplash, and Pixabay. Each offers a range of creative assets like photos, images, templates, videos, music, and more under different usage conditions.
• Google Arts & Culture: This service gives access to global cultural images like classic paintings, photos of landmarks, exhibitions, and museum displays.

Human Anatomy

• Line Of Action and Quick Poses: Websites where you can hone your sketching skills with timed sessions and diverse settings.
• SketchDaily Reference Site: Another tool to sharpen sketching. It offers references and a timer with deep customization options, extending beyond human figures to include animals and environments.
• Characterdesigns: A website primarily dedicated to models in various forms and poses.
• Bodiesinmotion: An extensive photo library of figures in motion, including ballet dancers, acrobats, and athletes.
• Syccas-stock: Contains photo references for action scenes, fights, and sword battles.
• Anatomy360: A platform featuring 3D scans of different people and body parts, most of which are available for purchase.
• Human Anatomy For Artist and Female Anatomy For Artist: Two key websites focused on human anatomy.
• BioDigital: A tool that enables you to explore 3D models of human bodies layer by layer.
• Photo Reference For Comic Artists and Comicreference: Sites offering photo references for comic artists.
• DAZstudio: Allows you to create 3D models, choose their poses, and observe muscle movements.
• Jademacalla's account: Features photos of men in military uniforms and weapons.
• Pinterest boards "Photo References" and "How to Draw Body": Collections of photo references with various poses and human anatomy references.
• Adorkastock: Resources with references for artists, which has grown from DeviantArt gallery.
• Pose-emporium and Lalunatique: Extensive compilations of different poses.
• CroquisCafe, New Masters Academy, and Draw This YouTube channels: Offer large playlists featuring figure models and videos with models in various poses.

Portrait

• Chronic Doodler on DeviantArt: A plethora of portraits expressing various emotions. It's not only beneficial for artists but animators as well.
• Reference Angle: Provides portrait references from different angles.
• Pinterest Boards: "References Faces and Emotions", "Portraits," and “Art Reference: Face-Side” curate an assortment of portraits, including textured ones and faces showcasing a variety of emotions.
• Danielboshung: Features high-resolution photographs of faces.
• MetaHuman Creator: A tool from Unreal Engine 4 allowing users to create highly detailed human models without 3D modeling skills.
• Other Websites: "Portrait Drawing References," "Portrait and Figure Drawing References," and "Only the Best Portraits" also present high-quality portrait photos for reference.

Clothing and Fashion

• Japanese Fashion Websites: Tokyo Fashion, Japanese Streets, and Tokyo Street Styles provide photos showcasing Japanese fashion trends.
• Demobaza: Features futuristic clothing designs.
• The Atlantic: Offers categorized images of costumes, people, and animals.
• WhiteWing-Stock: Offers photo references of models in unusual costumes with unconventional makeup.
• Cultural + Historical Costume Pinterest Board: This board features ethnic costumes from various countries.
• Clothing Reference Pinterest Board: This board is a rich repository of costumes, armor, and national attire from different countries.
• Serhii Hunkov's Pinterest: A collection of boards that host an array of references for armor, clothing, props, and more.
• Claire Hummel's Pinterest: Claire Hummel is an artist at Valve, and her boards contain a large collection of costume designs, sorted by styles and eras.
• Melinda Kovács' Pinterest: These boards are a trove of costumes and dresses from various eras.
• Crowded Heads Millinery's Pinterest: This collection offers clothing from different periods, with boards sorted by years.
• Jaana Seppälä's Pinterest: A set of boards featuring costumes and outfits from different historical periods and epochs.

Props and Environment

• Little Visuals: High-quality photos of buildings, landscapes, objects, and scenery.
• Malopolska's Virtual Museums: Offers free models of various exhibits from Polish museums. The collection includes rare vases, jewelry, furniture, watches, and rare cameras scanned in 3D.
• FoodiesFeed: A vast repository of food photos.
• Free Refe Photos: A Tumblr channel with photos of environments, objects, clothing, food, landscapes, and more.
• New Old Stock: An archive of vintage photographs.
• BoneClones: A souvenir shop selling bones and skulls.
• MapCrunch: Service with an interface similar to Google Maps, suitable for virtual plein air. You can select a random mode and travel to an unknown location.
• Fantasy Architecture Pinterest Board: This board showcases fantasy art and concepts with architecture in various styles.
• Materials Pinterest Board: This collection focuses on various materials, including a selection of stones.
• Met Textile Conservation's Pinterest: A collection of boards featuring photos of rare textile items.