Character Pose Ideas And References: How To Get Pose Ideas With Examples and Templates

The Value of Poses

Art reference character poses are an invaluable resource to artists of all levels. They’re most often used early in an artist’s career as they are learning to draw characters as they are learning anatomy and proportions, but the need for them never really goes away. Famous fantasy painters Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell, masters of their craft, would use live models and photographs for reference when doing their epic character and creature paintings. 

Any artist can develop an innate understanding of the human form, which grows the more they depict them. Sometimes, details can be muddled, or an angle, joint, or proportion comes off as not quite right. It is a natural thing for any character designer. That is where the value of character pose drawing references comes in.

Not being willing to use references when creating character art is doing yourself a disservice and ultimately harming your creative process in the long run when you think about it. Chances are you are probably already using references, but you’re probably searching for tips, strategies, and better references overall. That is how CharacterHub wants to help OC creators - by compiling incredible resources, and that’s just what we’ve done here.

So whether you’re after a better class of art reference character poses or just moving into using them to up your character design game, we have plenty of great resources ahead.

Sourcing Poses

While it is entirely possible to envision and deliver on iconic character poses with just your imagination and a pencil, not even the pros work exclusively like that. References are a valuable tool for artists at all levels, and finding poses to reference is a skillset that should be developed. Here are some ways to find the character pose drawing references you need to take your art to the next level.

Pose and Model References

The need for pose references has created a whole niche of online creators who provide references for artists everywhere. These online resources are invaluable.

Posemaniacs

One of my favorite resources for poses is the website Posemaniacs. This website is a collection of royalty-free pose resources that have proven invaluable to me in my art and comics and seem to grow year after year. The website’s primary draw is a collection of rotatable 3D models that can be viewed in the browser and features different poses across body types and sexes.

Poses are also categorized, from mundane activities such as sports to more unique scenarios. The site also has expanded to other references, such as face and figure references, that could prove very helpful. The fact that each pose can be viewed from just about any angle with a couple of clicks opens this resource incredibly.

You also have some extra features worth looking at, including a detailed hand model viewer and a 30-second drawing feature. Posemaniacs is a resource you must have ready to go when drawing. You are missing out if this is not in your artist bookmarks already.

Reference Studios

Many creators have taken it upon themselves to create reference resources for artists everywhere. There are almost too many to name. However, I have a couple I have referred to quite often.

AdorkaStock is one of my most frequently used reference collections. This studio has created an incredible library of reference images of poses featuring diverse body types and pose styles.

Outside of Posemaniacs, AdorkaStock is one of my most used sources for character pose drawing references. Among my favorites in their collection are those that feature lined bodysuits, which can be a great help when drawing any figure. For example, this rootin’ tootin’ old west shootin’ reference - yeehaw.

AdorkaStock isn’t the only game in pose reference resources, however. Another great account that can also be found on DeviantArt is Ahrum-Stock. This account features some particularly dynamic and athletic poses that are excellent to reference for fight scenes.

The account also features fantastic prop-based references, such as figures playing musical instruments or using daily tools. Sometimes, the tiny interactions between a person and a prop can be challenging to draw, so resources like this can be invaluable when working on poses for an OC drawing.

When using accounts like these for character pose references, it is essential to note the fair use rights associated with them and be sure to credit the stock creators when you use their work. Often, they want to know when the work is used as well, so always do them the courtesy of reaching out. AdorkaStock and Ahrum-Stock make their stock photo usage rules very clear, so stick to accounts up and up like these two.

Further, if these accounts help you get a leg up on anime character pose references, consider chipping in a couple of bucks to their Patreons to support the excellent resources they have created.

Make Your Stock

Another strategy that proves effective, though it can feel a bit silly at first, is making your stock photos and references. Let’s face it - for the internet having “everything,” it doesn’t have everything; inevitably, you will find yourself looking for a specific pose at a specific angle with a specific prop that is not available online.

Getting a friend to pose for a quick photo on your smartphone isn’t a massive ask in most cases, as long as you aren’t being weird about it. Having them hold a toy gun so you can get that precise angle shot for your sci-fi character art is a tried-and-true technique. It used to come in binders and boxes of Polaroid photos that artists would hoard of photos of themselves, friends, and assistants in all manners of costumes and motion. Now, it can all be contained on a smartphone.

When in doubt, ask a friend to wear a towel as a cape and try to snap some photos of them mid-jump to get that super heroic pose you need to reference. It’s an awkward but fun time for all, which helps you as an artist in the long run.

Borrow What You Love

Using art reference character poses from media you love is a valid strategy for building a library of original character art, but ensure you are being fair about it. Borrowing inspiration from successful stories and art is a time-honored tradition, but it is also one where you can be called out for not being honest about where you picked up your ideas.

If you found a pose in a film that reflects your OC and want to reference it, you should! Doing so is well within your rights, but you must also communicate where you got the idea. Attribution is essential.

For example, one of the most iconic poses in cinema was a floating kick from The Matrix (1999); anyone who has seen the movie recognizes it. It’s an iconic moment and a fascinating pose. 

Using it as an anime character pose reference is a great idea. Just be sure when you post the finished art that you mention you borrowed it from The Matrix. Even if it is just as simple as “pose inspired by The Matrix” in your submission notes.

This, of course, can apply to so many different poses from different media. For example, Super Mario’s iconic jump is a great art reference for cute character poses. Again, just be sure you are giving credit where it is due.

CharacterHub’s ongoing list of brilliant OCs created by users is also a great resource, as so many artists post their unique takes and poses. If you find yourself inspired by another OC on the site, be sure to shout them out.

People Watching and Sketching

One of the ways to quickly build up an understanding of naturalistic poses is by people-watching. Building male character pose references can be as simple as observing and quickly doodling the gestures of men in a public space. The same applies to understanding female character pose references.

This technique is meant to be unobtrusive, so you are doing it wrong if you get into awkward situations or make people uncomfortable. Further, you should be sure you are being safe. Public, well-lit spaces during the day are the best option for people-watching. Safety above all, after all.

The technique itself is straightforward and something most people wouldn’t notice. All you do is find a spot, look around you, make a mental snapshot of a person in the area, and quickly jot down a rough sketch of their pose in a notebook or sketchbook. The element here is speed, not accuracy. Finding poses will eventually come as quick as lightning once you have figured out the basics of rough sketching. You’ll learn that general shapes and proportions are emphasized rather than fine detail.

But if you are a total introvert, thanks to the Sketchbook School, there are a few more tips to consider.

CharacterHub As a Resource for Poses

Of course, we wouldn’t have a CharacterHub blog post without some goodies for you to take home. We’ve put together some helpful character pose reference templates that you can apply to your OC art. Be sure to let us know if you use them on social media, as we’d love to see the results.

With an assembly of wonderful character poses, you will definitely need a place to show them off, which is why your CharacterHub profile is such a great tool for your OCs. You’ll be able to showcase great images in your character’s art gallery, while potentially inspiring other OC creators down the line.