3D Modeling Reference Images – 23 Best Website
If you are a 3D Artist you need many high-quality 3d modeling reference images
But Finding images is time-consuming if you don’t know the proper resources. In this article, I share the complete list of high-quality reference images for 3d modelling.
Some resources are free and some are paid.
Let’s begin:-
1. Artstation
Artstation is the number one resource for finding free 3d modeling reference images.
What you can find here:-
- Human Anatomy references such as male and female anatomy and their parts anatomy like hands, feet face etc.
- Animal anatomy references creatures, Dyanasore, Dragons, Horses, rabbits etc.
- Poses, Weapons like swords, and rifles,
- Environment references such as Architecture (Interior and exterior), landscape etc
- Vehicles, Character references such as bodybuilders, cartoons, etc.
- Sci-fi references such as spaceship, Robot, sci-fi environment etc.
It’s a huge library for reference images, So you need to use some filters to find specific reference images.
- Open Artstation
- Click on Search Box and then click on Search Artwork
- Now you will see some options such as Medium, Subject Matter
- Choose Medium: 2D, and Choose a subject According to your project
Now Artstation will show your reference photos according to your chosen filter.
2. Pinterest
Pinterest is great for artists because many artists create boards and Pin every day on Pinterest for you. It has the largest image database.
Here you can find a reference photo board. You need a Pinterest account to access Pinterest images.
Here you can find everything that you imagined as an artist.
3. Instagram
Instagram? Yes, you heard it right. I know that you use Instagram for watching reels all day but most professional 3D Artist use Instagram to show their work.
Everyone knows that Instagram is the largest photo-sharing website. Every 2nd person uploads photos on Instagram of their life, and the products they buy.
These are products for them but for artists, they are reference images. Mostly you can find hard surface and character references on Instagram.
Instagram is the best place to find celebrity reference photos for 3D Modeling or sculpting. If you are not using Instagram for whatever reason, use it now, it’s a goldmine for 3D Artist.
4. Deviant Art
Deviant Art is a great and underrated place. Many artists share reference images that they use while working on 3D Modeling projects.
Mostly you can find fantasy, environment, character and a little bit of hard surface object references.
You can just type “reference images” in the Deviant art search box and you will find a lot of high-quality reference photos.
When you click on any reference image you will find more similar images.
5. Facebook Group or Page
You use Facebook as time passes. But you can find Various Groups and Pages where you can find very high-quality reference images.
The Major benefit of Facebook Group is that you can ask Group Members for specific Reference photos.
Mostly 3D Artists help others to Grow. So you can easily find reference images through Facebook Groups or Pages.
6. Google Image Search
Everyone uses Google to find anything or you will also use Simple Google Search to find high-quality reference photos.
But Google mixes low and high-quality images. So you can use some filters to show only high-quality images.
Here is a step-by-step guide:-
- Go to Google Images and search for your keywords such as weapon reference.
- Google will show some results based on your search query.
- You will have some options here, just click on tools.
- After that, you will see some more options: Size, Color, Type, Time, and Usage.
- Use these features to sort out the result.
7. CG Marketplace
In CG Marketplace, you can find reference image collections like weapons, vehicles, characters, poses etc for a few dollars.
In 3D Marketplaces, you will find any type of 3d models such as anime, cartoons, bodybuilders, simple characters, weapons, mouth 3d models and reference image collections.
Finding references through many resources is boring and time-consuming. If you have the budget you can use these collections.
You can use CGTrader and Flipped Normals to download reference image collections at affordable pricing.
You can also use CG Marketplaces to sell 3D Models
8. Wikipedia
With Wikipedia, you can gain knowledge of anything. But do you know that Wikipedia provides very high-quality images?
Most people use Wikipedia for information but artists use Wikipedia to find references. You can find mostly gun and car reference images and their parts.
9. Drawing Database
Drawing Database is a free blueprint resource for artists.
If you are a hard surface artist then this site is made for you because here you find all other hard surface blueprints such as:-
- Vehicle – Car, Truck, Bus, Military
- Aircraft – Fighter, Bomber, Boat Airliner, Glider
- Watercraft
- Weapon – Submachine, Gun, Rifle, Pistol
10. Line of Action
Line of Action is a great website for artists to find killer pose references to get an idea, of how to pose your 3d models.
Figure Drawing Reference Photos:- This section shows male and female models in various poses which is great for 3D Character Modeling ideas. You can find the T Pose, sitting pose etc.
You can find nude and clothed models from different angles for all ages such as baby, kid, teen or adult.
Animal Drawing:- In this section, you will find all types of animal reference images such as dogs, cats, elephants, Horses, animal skulls and skeletons which is great for understanding animal anatomy and creating realistic animals.
Hand and Feet Drawing:- as the name suggests, in this section, you will find male and female hand reference photos that you can use to create a realistic 3D Hand, and understand hand and feet anatomy.
Face and Expression drawing:- In this section, you find male and female face emotion references such as angry, happy, sad etc.
Basic Shapes and Still Drawing:- Here you find reference photos for drawing objects or shapes such as hammers, towels, and flower-type images.
Scene and Environment Drawing:- In this section, you will find high-quality environment drawings such as cities, landscapes, palaces etc.
11. Sketch Daily Reference
Sketch Daily References is closely related to Line of Action. But here are some different options and different models also.
Let’s talk about these options.
Full Body:- In this option, you will find male and female body references that you can use to create a realistic character body.
You can find nude and clothed models in various poses such as Actio, and Stationary from different angles like front, side, above or back.
Body Part:- Here you will find the male and female Head reference photos, Feet and Hand references from every angle.
Animal:- In this section, you will find all animal references such as birds, fish, reptiles etc. You can also find animal skeletons.
Structure Items:- Here you find houses and buildings like famous cities.
Plants and Flowers:- In this part, you will find flower and plant reference images in high-quality.
12. Quick Poses
Quick Poses is a reference image website where you can find male and female pose references.
What type of pose you can find here:-
- Female Silhouette and Fatales
- Lying Distortion and seated poses
- Warrior Pose reference
13. Posemanics
Posemanics is a very different website where you can find pose and anatomy references in one place. Here you can find 3D Figures, Muscle, male and female face and pose references.
Which type of pose you can find here:-
- Sumo, Twisting Neck, Cool and Lying
- Jumping, Pointing, Relax, Running
- Sports Activity, Cross leg, Hand on hip, hand holding reference, Punching
- Bodybuilding, Fighting and more.
14. New Master Academy
New Master Academy (NMA Art) is a premium website for artists. You need to purchase a plan to access high-quality reference photos from New Master Academy.
If you purchase a plan, you will find high-quality reference images of animals, automobiles, anatomy, still life and much more.
Don’t worry if you have a tight budget, New Master Academy have YouTube where you can high-resolution Videos of various Models in Various poses.
You can also find a 3d poseable model here.
15. Adorka Stock
Adorka Stock is yet another great website for artists and it’s different from Line of Action and other pose reference websites.
Here you can find many different types of poses that you can’t find on another website:-
- Single, Double and Multiple-model poses together
- Model Poses with items such as Sofa, instruments, weapons etc
- Floating, Kneeling, Lying, sitting poses
16. Proko
Proko has some amazing tools for 3d artists. Let’s talk about more:-
Skelly App:- Skelly is a great tool for 3D Character artists. This app is available on Android and iPhone. With the tool, you create your pose according to your project.
Pose Reference Collection:- Here you find high-quality male and female model photos in nude and clothed at affordable prices.
Anatomy Reference:- In this collection, you find great anatomy drawings and motion packs also.
Hand Reference Collection:- In this collection, you will find male and female hand reference photos for 3d modelling, drawing or sculpting realistic hands or use as reference.
17. CGFrog
Let me clarify: CG Frog is not a reference images website, it’s a CG Website like. But they create a complete list of motorcycle and car blueprints that you can use for vehicle modelling.
They also create a list of 3D Characters and CG Artwork for 3D Model inspiration.
19. 3D Total Shop
3D Total Shop is a great website for character references such as Anatomy Reference, Anatomy Bundle, and Anatomy Book.
Here you can find the texture pack also but it’s a premium website. If you have a budget problem, you can still access free references.
20. ZBrush Central
ZBrush Central is a great place for 3d Artists and Sculptors. Mostly Characters, sculpting and Hard Surface artist share their artwork on ZBrush Central.
Some artists also share reference images that they used while working on the project.
So, here you can find 3D Character artwork, Hard Surfaces, anatomy references, real 3D Scans and more.
21. Stock Image Website
Stock Websites such as Pixabay, Pexels, Unsplash etc are great for finding high-resolution photos.
These photos are copyright-free means that you can use these photos in your commercial projects also.
On the stock website, you can find any type of reference photos such as cars, characters, environments, fantasy, portrait photos etc.
Here is the complete list of Stock Photo Websites
22. Character Design and Character Design References
Character Design and Character Design References both are great websites for finding character references, and artwork of talented character artists.
On both sites, you will find an anatomy board, character pose or anything related to characters.
23. Anatomy 360
Anatomy 360 is a great website to find high-quality anatomy, pose references and motion packs to understand anatomy.
Here you will find real 3d scans with lighting control, high-resolution male and female nude and clothed model photos.
Here you will also find switchable textured models, switchable texture means you can turn on/off texture in one click.
This is a premium website but free references are also available for you. In free, you will find high-resolution male and female bodies, heads, clothing and hand references.
Now It’s Your Turn
I share all the resources to find great 3d modelling reference images for artists. If you think this a great time saver for artists, share it with them.
If I miss any great resources, leave a comment.
here are some handpicked articles just for you:-