reference photos
Artist's source images
Reference photos are images used by artists, designers, or other creators as visual guides during their work.
A painter might use reference photos of human anatomy to get proportions right, or a concept artist might collect dozens showing different types of armor.
The practice is standard across creative fields—using references isn't cheating but a professional tool for accuracy and inspiration.
I spent an hour gathering reference photos before starting the portrait.
- digital assetsElectronically stored owned items
- mood boardVisual inspiration collection
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- creative processHow creation happens
- sketchesRough, quick drawings
poses · lighting · composition · artists · drawing · figure drawing · painting · models · textures · backgrounds · anatomy · perspective · screenshots · thumbnails · portfolio · Pinterest · gathering · studying
- art studioeasel, easels, canvas, canvases, palette
- cosplaycosplayer, costume, props, wig, makeup
- hand drawinghand sketch, hand gesture, sketching, open hand, clenched fist
- mood boardsmood boards, boards, collage, inspiration, palette
- prop makingmask making, mold making, sculpting, resin casting, foam
- portrait drawingcolored pencils, shading, blending, sketching, graphite