References are basically any visual aid that helps you draw something. You can use photos, 3D models, live models, or do a little pre-development work to draw reference sheets for characters or vehicles or outfits you know you’re going to be using in your pages. In webcomics, we’re drawing panel after panel, and stopping to find or make good references can be a step you gloss over in the interest of getting the page out. But long-term, there are a lot of benefits that you can get out of working them into your process.

Why and When do you use references?

• Environments and background assets
• Consistent character design
• Learning to draw
• Anatomy and pose
• Perspective

How do you use your references?

Some ways to utilize references include:

• Breaking them down into simpler shapes and building blocks
• Utilizing real life poses and translating them into fantastical poses
• Taking a photo of yourself in the pose you want and then tracing
• Finding simplified designs to better understand the basics of a figure or item.

What are things to keep in mind when using references?

• Be careful of how much time you spend collecting and creating references.
• Don’t let them lock you into a specific style or art that isn’t quite yours
• Be sure you’re only using resources they way they are licensed to be used.

Where can people find references?

• Adorka Stock - real life reference photos
• PhotoBash - Photos that can be used to compile into scenes
• Sketchfab - 3D Models
• Sketchup - Make your own 3D Models

----

Episode Release Date: August 17, 2022

Episode Credits:

Renie Jesanis (@renieplayerone) - she/they, kateblast.com

Christina Major (@delphina2k) - she/her, sombulus.com

Phineas Klier (@tentacledeity) - they/them, heirsoftheveil.fervorcraft.de

Miranda Reoch (@mirandacakesart)- she/her, mirandacakes.art

----

The Intro "DO IT (feat. Shia LaBeouf)", and the Outro "It's Good To See You Again!!", both by Adrianwave, have been used and modified in good faith under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Licensed. Edits include: Fade IN/OUT, and a repeat added to the beginning of "It's Good To See You Again!!". For more information on this creative commons use, please reference https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.