Every artist needs a well-stocked inspiration library, whether it's for hands, lighting or entire backgrounds. Here are some of the best art sites that cater specifically to concept artists, illustrators and designers: ShotDeck, Character Design References, Pinterest and ArtStation.
ShotDeck is an incredible archive of film stills, perfect for finding unique references like green lighting in fog, Brutalist interiors or lonely silhouettes. It's a treasure trove of cinematographic techniques that can inspire new ideas.
Character Design References offers everything needed to sketch and paint imaginative figures, including anatomy guides, costume references, expression sheets and creature designs. This site is perfect for artists who like to collect shapes and textures until they're ready to use them.
Pinterest remains a go-to source of inspiration, from medieval armour to 1970s sci-fi paperback covers. It can feel chaotic but offers a wide range of references that can mix and match in fascinating ways.
ArtStation is an excellent place for studying professional game and film artists' work, particularly environment art and concept design. However, it might also be overwhelming given the sheer number of references available.
