Reference Images For 3D Modeling – 13 Best Website

If you want to make good art and stand out from the crowd, you need many reference images for 3D Modeling.

Here are some of the best resources that you can use for reference images:-

Why Reference Image is essential?

Most artists ignore reference images when they start to learn 3D Modeling because most Artist does not understand the importance of reference photos at a beginner stage.

Reference Photos are also useful while creating texturing in Substance Painter other texturing Software.

References play a crucial role in making realistic artwork.

1. Google Image Search

I always use Google Image Search to find high-quality reference images when working on any 3D Modeling Project.

I enter the search query in the Google Image Search Box and hit enter. in a few seconds, google shows me a great list of references.

When I click on any Images, Google shows me related images.

2. Websites and Wikipedia

My second choice is the product website.

For example, if I working on a Hard Surface object like a Gun or a Product like an earphone then I visit the earphone or Gun Website and I found great references in High Quality.

In Wikipedia, you can also find References in 4K Resolution especially if you are looking for Weapon References.

Website and Wikipedia are goldmines for 3D Artists who need high-quality reference photos.

3. Art Station

Art Station is a popular website where you can find 2D Images, Drawings, Concept Art, Pose Reference etc.

You just need to enter your search query and use some search filter to find references according to your requirements.

Here you can find Realistic, Sci-fi and Cartoon Characters like Luffy, Chair, Animal, Environment, Nature, Sci-fi, Hard Surface, Chair, Human and Animal Body Anatomy like dragons, dinosaurs etc.

4. Pinterest

Pinterest is an image-sharing website where you can find reference board sheets, and reference image collections such as hard surfaces, characters, drawings, concept art etc. for free.

When you click on any image, it will show you more related images.

5. The Blueprints

The Blueprints is a premium website where you can find all types of blueprints in ultra-high resolution such as vehicles, Gun, Human Anatomy, military, Science fiction and more.

If you have the budget then this is the best website for you.

6. Photobash

Photobash is yet another great website for high-resolution reference images for 3D Modeling but its a premium website.

Here you can find all types of reference photos such as weapons and props, environment, characters like Cartoon, Realistic, Sci-fi male and female, Robot etc. You can also filter images by resolution, camera angle etc.

7. Drawing Database

Drawing Database is a great place to find high-quality blueprints for free.

Here you can find all types of blueprints in High Resolution such as all types of vehicles like cars, motorbikes, Watercraft, aircraft, and weapons like swords, guns etc.

You can just click on an Image to download it.

8. Stock Websites

Stock websites like Pixabay, Pexel etc. are great places to find high-quality references for 3D Modeling. Here you can find all types of references such as Character, Animal, Environment, Nature, Portrait (face) etc.

Mostly these websites are recommended for Character and Environment references.

9. Instagram

You use Instagram for time pass but you know that you can find high-quality reference images for your next 3D Modeling project on Instagram.

Today most artists are active on Instagram and they share concept art, drawings etc. Most celebrities share pictures of here and the places they visit, you can take these photos as references and start 3D Modeling.

10. Deviant Art

Deviant Art is the most underrated place in the 3D Community. Here you can find all types of high-quality reference images and collections.

I recommend this website to find Fantasy, Environment, Hard Surface and Character References.

11. CG Marketplaces

CG Marketplace is not only for buying and selling 3D Models but is also useful for finding high-quality reference image collections of all types such as Cars, Weapons, Anatomy, Characters etc.

Find Reference images on the free site is boring and time-consuming. If you have a budget, I highly recommend buying a reference image collection.

You can use CGTrader, TurboSquid, FlippedNormal to buy these collections

12 CG Frog

CG Frog is not a reference image website, it’s a CG blog. This blog author shares a great list of Car and Motorbike reference blueprints for free.

If you want to model a vehicle then you should check out these blueprints.

13. Concept Art Empire

Concept Art Empire is a great blog for CG Artists. They share a great list of weapon references that you can use for inspiration or to create Weapons.

If you want to create a weapon, you should check out these weapon references.

14. Concept Art World

Concept Art World is a great place to find famous movie and game concept art for free with a studio name or artist name.

If you want to create specific movie or game artwork then this is the best place to find reference images.

Now It’s Your Turn

So I share some of the great websites to find reference images for 3D Modeling. I hope these resources will help you.

If you find this list interesting, kindly share this list with your friends.