Whether you’re new to drawing or have been doing it for years, having great face reference can really help you improve your work.
There are lots of great places to find great photo references online. But be aware that some of them may have copyright restrictions, so you should check before you use them commercially.
1. Google Image Search
If you are looking for images online, Google Image Search is a great tool. It allows you to search for photos in different quality, sizes, or formats.
Reverse image search, a feature that Google has rolled out on its Android devices, is incredibly useful for finding exactly the right picture you need.
This technology uses content-based image retrieval (CBIR) to analyze an uploaded image and generate a query that is then matched against billions of images in its database. This returns the most relevant images to your search results.
2. Unsplash
Unsplash is a great resource for finding photos that can be used in your website or blog posts. It has a library of over a million high-resolution images from professional photographers around the world.
In addition, they are free to use under the Unsplash license. However, you should understand how you can legally use a photo from Unsplash in your project before you do so.
The Unsplash community is a huge one, with 65,000 photographers sharing their work on the platform. The site is also very popular among businesses.
3. Morgue File
Morgue File is a free stock photo resource that features a variety of images from both professional and amateur photographers. It also has a few unique features, including social media mechanics that make it an excellent choice for those looking to build relationships with other creatives in the stock photo industry.
It was originally created as a free image exchange platform for teachers and creative professionals to use in their work. Today it’s a community-based, free photo site that has been built with the mission to be a worldwide resource for anyone wanting to download and use photos in their commercial projects.
4. Deviant Art
Deviant Art is a web-based social networking site that has a large community of artists. It offers many different features such as journals, collections, polls, and forums for discussion.
While the site has changed a lot in recent years, it remains as an important tool for artists. Its popularity has made it a target for copyright violations, but it still maintains a strong value of freedom of expression.
Earlier this year, DeviantArt added a feature to the platform called Protect that would prevent companies from scraping images without proper HTML tag. This is a great initiative for the site to take in order to ensure that its members have their work protected.
5. Sketch Daily
Daily sketching is said to improve creativity, focus, and relaxation. It also helps to develop communication skills and can help with holistic health.
The website Sketch Daily is a great place to find reference images for your figure drawings. It features over 1000 unique images. It also offers filters that allow you to filter by body parts, gender, clothing and more.
6. Museum
A museum is a building or institution that cares for and exhibits objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance. The largest museums exist in major cities around the world, while thousands of smaller museums are found in towns and rural areas.
A museum is a non-profit, permanent institution in the service of society and its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment for the purposes of education, study, and enjoyment.
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7. Sketching App
Sketching App is an easy-to-use drawing application that helps you to create digital art. It has a large community of users where you can showcase your work and collaborate with other artists.
It is a free app that features various brushes and tools for creating digital art. It also enables you to record your drawings as videos.
This is a great tool for beginner artists. It offers multiple brush types, tracing features, and unlimited layers.
8. Instagram
Instagram is a popular social media platform that allows users to post photos and videos. It has many features that can help you enhance your photos and make them more engaging.
Recently, the social networking app introduced a face reference feature where you can insert your own face in the photo. This feature is available on both the app and desktop site of the social network.
9. Sketchbook
Sketchbooks are a great way to document your creative processes and personal style. They also help you get back into the habit of drawing regularly.
It’s an incredibly useful tool for artists of all disciplines and it can be used on any device, whether you’re working in the studio or on the go.
When choosing your sketchbook, it’s important to consider the paper’s tooth and texture. This can affect the kind of mediums you can use on it, such as markers or watercolors.
