How do you go about using references in your comic?

[MrOwl]

Do you break your references down to shapes, forms, or do something else?

Artists use references in different ways, this process is so interesting to me, thanks.

[lillyssil]

Well, I use mostly different photos and draw a mix out of them. Then I add features and make the art more personal. Stock photos saved my life so many times
But I often draw random things without references.

[MrOwl]

I use mostly different photos and draw a mix out of them.

You use the "frankenstein" method xD I like that method so much, my mentor said that she uses that method when drawing fantasy art, it's rad af lol.

[MrOwl]

Thanks a lot for your input. ^^

[lillyssil]

"Frankenstein" is this actually what you call this or is that just what you call that method? But I really think it is a fitting name to describe that method.
And yeah I am self taught so I draw really chaotic but that works just fine for me.

[inubasket]

I use DesignDoll (a 3D doll program), picture references, and youtube videos.

If I need a very specific pose though and just can't find it, I make my husband do the pose

[alexlcuri07]

I used to make my mom do the same thing. Especially for hands.

I usually just Google Image references, especially for poses. I still struggle with backgrounds (one of the many reasons I haven't started a graphic novel yet) so I wanted to comment so I could follow this thread too.

[kmlangleyauthor]

If I need a very specific pose though and just can't find it, I make my husband do the pose

This made me laugh - our poor spouses. I had to ask my husband questions about his beard/scruff for my story the other day and the look he gave me... smh

[alexlcuri07]

Oh and shapes. I always break things into shapes and general outlines to get a working silhouette first.

[kmlangleyauthor]

Google reference images is my lifestyle lol. I really hope there’s someone somewhere that sees my google searches and just gets really confused by all the weird stuff I look up as references and poses

[foxnflames]

Same! He catches me staring and I’m like.... go back to what you were doing I’m trying to look at the shadows on your face.

I tried to pose him once but he wouldn’t cooperate

[alexlcuri07]

Same! I'm low key waiting for the FBI to get me on my search history for not only references but research topics I needed for my novel. Its a moment, really.

[foxnflames]

I use reference pics and sometimes have to find several to find the poses I want because I’m not at the level where I can think of the pose I want and draw it. I need to stare at it for a long time and I think I suck at shadows so they’re needed. I paste it in the corner of my “canvas” and then draw it. I pretty much make up the features but I’ll find references for face shapes and body types as well as facial expressions.

[kmlangleyauthor]

I tried to pose him once but he wouldn’t cooperate

Such a shame

I'm low key waiting for the FBI to get me on my search history for not only references but research topics I needed for my novel.

YES!! This and it’s not like you can just google normal phrases - it’s always super weirdly specific stuff to get the right pose or information and then you realize after the fact just how sketchy it might sound out of context

[foxnflames]

it’s always super weirdly specific stuff to get the right pose or information and then you realize after the fact just how sketchy it might sound out of context

I needed a reference pic of a man lying down and the more I scrolled the more unclothed they became I was like I didn’t ask for this

[kmlangleyauthor]

Haha OOPS!!

At one point I was searching for a very VERY specific one shoulder cape type thing for a sort of modernized Roman type officer uniform... yeah... my search terms got WEIRD

[dsptss78]

When it comes to references I usually google images of people in different poses or I use magic poser. It really depends on whether your going for something realistic or not. It doesn't hurt to use your favorite artist as reference as well.

[gmaximin]

Depends on how mature/finalized is my idea.
If I have a very clear idea on what I want to do, I either go through my photo stock (landscape, museum objects, etc) or image search engine. I do a rough draft and then adapt for light/shadow and for the style I want. For pose, it’s very hard to get exactly what I want from ref pic, so I adapt for angle.
If I don’t have anything really clear already plan and just a rough feeling/mood/scene I might just do image search and shamelessly copy the pose (same light source, angle) only using my own style, and then adapt panel background and storytelling to match it.

[MrOwl]

"Frankenstein" is this actually what you call this or is that just what you call that method?

It's that specific method's name according to my mentor lol, she learned it with a master fantasy artist, and taught me lol, fitting right?

[demthorshie]

I use different images of poses from Google mostly. I've used my own body movements for references as well.