21 Free Image Reference Sites for Artists

Whether you're a beginner artist or an up-and-coming professional, using reference images and practicing your creative skills is a must! If you’re looking for free image reference sites, we’ve got a list here of cool websites for you to check out.

Photo References and Stock Image Sites

Unsplash

Looking for image references for poses, animals, or backgrounds? Unsplash has all kinds of high-resolution images you can use for references and studies.

Pexels

There’s plenty of free stock photos you can use for reference on Pexels. You can find especially great images to use as reference for landscapes and dynamic poses.

Burst By Shopify

Burst by Shopify has a variety of different collections full of images. Whether you need art references of people, scenery, or even food, you might be able to find what you need here.

Kaboompics

If you’re looking for an art reference site with close-up images, Kaboompics might have what you need. There’s lots of high-quality photos that feature close-ups of hands, scenery, and everyday objects.

Life of Pix

For some great references of scenery and environment, be sure to check out Life of Pix. There are all kinds of images of different landscapes, cities, and more. If you want to try studying something new, you could even take a look at their Photographer of the Week for unique references.

ISO Republic

For more landscape and environment image references, take a look at the photos on ISO Republic! There’s plenty of other picture references too, such as food, flower, and texture pictures.

AdorkaStock

Looking for an art reference website for all your character-posing needs? AdorkaStock has it all! Sort the images by the amount of people, perspective, type of pose, or even body shapes to find the perfect image reference for your art.

Flickr, Creative Commons

Find a variety of photo and image references ranging from scenery to people on Flickr. Just be sure to check the license of the image before you use it for reference! Flickr also has a brief guide explaining each license, which makes each one easy to understand. 

Wildlife Sites with Animal and Insect References

Animal Diversity

Need animal image references? Animal Diversity has you covered. There are all kinds of animal pictures. Search by the animal itself or learn about new creatures by searching for specific characteristics. Be sure to check the “conditions of use” section of an image to see if you can use it for reference!

Birds of the World

If bird images are what you’re looking for, be sure to check out Birds of the World. There’s plenty of specific species of birds on the website, with a variety of images of the sitting and flying. It’s a great site to use for learning to draw birds and finding new inspiration for your avian characters!

NOAA Photo Library

Use the “photo library” search to find images of different fish and sea creatures on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website. Whether you need references for fish, sharks, coral, or some other kind of ocean-related image, the NOAA Photo Library has everything under the sea!

Insect Images

Need art references for all kinds of bugs, arthropods, and other creepy crawlers? Insect Images has photos of any insect or arthropod you might need a reference for. Just make sure you check the license of the image to see if it can be used as an image reference for your art!

Smithsonian Botany Collection

The Smithsonian Botany Collection is a dedicated department for plants and botany. If you need image references for different plants, living or pressed, check out some of the specimens of the Botany Collection! 

References From Archives and Museums

Smithsonian Open Access

There’s also the Smithsonian Open Access, which has a wider variety of images than the Botany Collection. Whether it’s art, architecture, plants, or something else, the Smithsonian has all kinds of different images to use for reference or studies.

Getty Open Content Program

Looking for some art images to use as reference as you create your own art? The Getty Museum Collection has a large variety of historical art pieces. From sculptures and sketches, to painting and pottery, you’re sure to find some good art references here.

Cleveland Museum of Art

From art of landscapes to portraits, the Cleveland Museum of Art has plenty of different art pieces to study or use for inspiration. Whether you’re looking for sculptures or paintings, this site has it!

Library of Congress Digital Collections

The Library of Congress has all kinds of collections with a variety of works to look at. Browse by collection to find different categories consisting of art pieces, photos, and even videos. You’re sure to find some interesting references here!

New York Public Library Digital Collections

Find all kinds of different photos, prints, and illustrations to study and use as reference in the New York Public Library Digital Collections. Just be sure to check “search only public domain” to find images free to use!

NASA Image Library

If you need image references for stars, planets, or something else out of this world, the NASA Image and Video Library has you covered. Find all types of space-themed images to inspire your art.

3D Texture Reference Sites

Poly Haven

The Poly Haven website has lots of different assets for you to use for reference, especially for practicing lighting. Enhance your texture drawings and lighting skills with the 3D model references here!

CGBookcase

For a website with art references for texture specifically, CGBookcase is the site to use. From wooden floorboards to brick walls, CGBookcase has the perfect references for you!

Share Your Creations on Unvale

There are all kinds of different websites that can help you find the perfect image reference for your creations. Just be sure to double-check if images require permission or credit before you use them. Have fun creating, and once you're finished, share your work on Unvale so we can check it out!

If you’re looking for other resources, check out our article on free character makers and our list on free Procreate brush packs.