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Devika
Oct '16

As we all know, references can not only really help us nail our drawings, they are essential to learning to draw things in general and building a visual library.

While it's a great thing to do live drawings in a cafe or on public transport, sometimes while working on a piece I need a reference now of a very specific pose, object, clothing, tricky fold or what have you, and I'm sure most of you have been in the same situation before. So here's the big question: What are your methods and resources for finding good references?

As for my resources, if I can't take a photo of myself posing, or have a similar object or piece of clothing at hand, I turn to google or pinterest. Pinterest is great for clothing and props, as well as general poses, and you can save any good images you find and sort them into categories that work for you. Even better, you can save pictures from anywhere on the web if you find something elsewhere. Google... Okay, who doesn't know google. I've found that it's better for specific requests due to its immense hoard of data, but the drawback is that it's mostly oddly stiff and unnatural stock photos.

I'd love to hear where you turn to, because I often end up not finding what I need at all, and I'm sure we could all profit from sharing our knowledge!

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    Oct '16

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spadesart
Oct '16

I know a lot of artists use 3d programs like SketchUp to make models of their interiors (I'm testing out a 3D builder that came with my laptop because I can understand it better than sketchup at the moment). Usually I just go to google and sift through the results until I find something that works. I don't really have a library of saved images aside from a folder on my phone and that's just stuff I save for inspiration with outfits or buildings and environments.

Cielle
Oct '16

usually google images or pinterest. But if there's something really specific I need reference for and I can't find it, I'll either take a picture of myself doing it or recruit one of my family members to pose so I can take their picture. I have a folder of very strange selfies I hope no one ever sees haha

Aspie_Gamer
Oct '16

Google image search. Plus I can look at other people's art and sort've "sponge" off of them.

NickRowler
Oct '16

Usually google images. Like recently I wanted to draw something with my characters falling, so I looked up "people falling". I try to avoid using refs from the first top rows (because usually those are the ones most people use).

My major critism with google images is that when you look up men, you either get super buff guys or really skinny guys. But I want a ref for a man with an average square-ish body.

Devika
Oct '16
spadesart

I've heard about this method, 3D is definitely something I should get into. Sounds like it could save you a lot of time with recurring objects! Once you've learned how to model, that is... xP

Great to hear I'm not the only weirdo posing around in my room, haha!

Same! I need to delete some...

I'm tempted to do that too sometimes, but I'm afraid of copying others' mistakes that I'm just not seeing... I'm a bit paranoid. That being said, I do look a lot at "how do they draw eyes", "how do they ink/how is their linework", things like that.

Agreed! The best thing I found so far on body variation was a photoshoot of different olympic athletes, but again, they're all buff... Just in very, very different ways.

eleoza
Oct '16

I find 'Pose Maniacs' a helpful site. Especially the 30 second challanges.
Most of the time I pose in the mirror too, especially hand poses, although my hands are really small.

demthorshie
Oct '16

Google is my best friend these days xD I'm usually able to find what I'm looking for after I spend a few minutes on there. I some times use Pose Maniacs for more action/dynamic scenes.

Kaykeactual fraggle
Oct '16

For objects and settings I use google, but for posed I use a mirror! I don't really like looking at photo reference for poses because I feel like I get too hung up on specifics, but since I can't draw WHILE doing the pose I don't have that problem with mirrors.

nattbear
Oct '16

I use the internet! (and pinterest kkk)... I mostly search for photos (but i usually have a hard time finding exactly what I'm looking for) So.. SOMETIMES, I take a picture of myself (cause no nice friends to help me by posing T_T)

Quinineer
Oct '16

I google search, then go to "search tools", "usage rights" and use "labelled noncommercial reuse. Just in case.

Also, when I try to animate, I usually end up trying to run in slow motion in front of a mirror.

indagold
Oct '16

I use google. You can't use pinterest without an account and i'm not in any mood to make one. I sometimes use 3D for poses but i'm far too lazy unless i'm really struggling.

Kura
Oct '16

I just use google.

To be honest, I usually don't look up poses or angels and try to figure those out on my own.

Mostly what I look up is just items or objects when I can't find them around the house to make sure I'm drawing them right, like 'beer bottle' or 'scissors'. Or if working with an animal (or a part from that animal) just look that up to make sure I got the shape/structure and markings right.

I'll also use to it double check muscle placements if I'm unsure of how something is turning out.

Shanny8
Oct '16

Everywhere I can. Mainly mostly Google- but if I have to go outside of that, I'll do it.

tomatobird
Oct '16

I do a lot of research for my comic since its historical based, so I've borrowed some books from the library over the summer to get a better idea! Sometimes more helpful than just Google Image search, since the first few results aren't always accurate. And it depends, some sources are better than others–also in a pinch I look at movies that are similar to the mood I'm looking for for reference, the only trick is to not copy directly and to only use it as a general reference of course. X0