Okay, so if youve ever sat down to draw a figure and just… blanked on how a person actually stands or moves, youre not alone. It happens to literally every artist at some point. Thats honestly why I put together this collection of 24 woman pose references, because finding good ones that actually help you practice is way harder than it should be. Whether youre working on gesture drawing, character design, or just trying to get better at anatomy, having solid references makes such a huge difference. Like, you can totally feel the shift in your work once you stop guessing and start actually looking at how the body works. These 24 images cover everything from relaxed everyday poses to more dynamic action shots, so theres something useful no matter what youre working on. Go ahead and bookmark this one youre gonna come back to it more than once.
Arms Up, Gaze Lifted
She tilts her chin upward with both hands resting behind her head, creating an open, unhurried silhouette. A white tie-front top and flowing skirt keep the palette clean and airy. A delicate pendant necklace adds the only hint of contrast.
Soft Light, Quiet Stillness
A woman kneels on the floor in a sheer white button-down shirt, eyes closed, bathed in cool backlight from a tall window. The pose is introspective and grounded, with warm shadows tracing the curves of her silhouette against the pale glow behind her.
Sepia-toned figure study in soft light
A digital illustration rendered in warm sepia tones captures a young woman with her arms raised behind her head, her tied shirt revealing a hip tattoo. The soft backlit composition gives the piece a painterly, editorial quality with smooth tonal gradients throughout.
Casual Confidence in Plaid
A young woman with loose auburn waves stands with arms crossed, wearing an open flannel shirt over denim cutoffs. Her steady gaze and relaxed posture carry quiet self-assurance. The muted studio backdrop keeps all attention on her unhurried expression.
Studio Light, Quiet Confidence
A woman sits in a relaxed lean, gaze lifted slightly off-camera in a black sports bra and drawstring pants. The black-and-white studio lighting carves clean shadows across her figure, giving the shot a calm, editorial stillness.
Romantic Gaze in Muted Tones
A young woman with auburn curls sits in a dramatic three-quarter pose, her chin lifted and eyes cast upward. She wears a floral wrap dress in deep grey and crimson, cinched with a burgundy leather belt. The moody studio lighting gives the portrait a painterly, old-world quality.
Dark Romance in Cool Blue Light
A model poses confidently against a pale blue backdrop, dressed in a white lace bustier layered under a black leather corset with ruched shorts and chunky combat boots. Her chin tilts upward with quiet defiance, the cool studio lighting casting a moody, editorial tone across the whole look.
Golden Hour, Eyes Closed
Warm amber light wraps around a woman in a ribbed slip dress, her curly hair catching a rim of fire at the edges. She sits with eyes closed, chin lifted, one hand resting softly at her collarbone. The mood is quiet and self-contained.
Casual Edge on a Bare Stool
A young woman perches cross-legged on a wooden stool, her gaze drifting upward with quiet detachment. The black-and-white frame sharpens the contrast between her cropped top and baggy cargo pants. A delicate pendant necklace adds the only soft note to an otherwise street-leaning look.
Arms Raised, Gaze Forward
A woman in a teal lace-trimmed halter lifts both arms overhead, her side braid draped over one shoulder. The dramatic studio lighting carves deep shadows across the background, drawing focus to her direct, steady gaze. The pose is confident and unhurried.
Warrior Woman With White Banner
A figure draped in layered, weathered linen wrappings holds a pale flag with quiet authority, her gaze lifted as if watching something distant. Braided hair, face markings, and cord-bound wrists speak to a life shaped by ritual and survival.
Dark Lace in Motion
A woman moves through a moody, shadow-filled studio in a black lace bralette and sheer swirling skirt, arms outstretched and eyes closed. The dramatic chiaroscuro lighting carves sharp contrast across her figure, while the billowing fabric captures a sense of suspended movement.
Sunlight and Shadow Against Brick
A young woman sits against a rough brick wall, face tilted upward with eyes closed as harsh sunlight cuts across her figure. The black-and-white treatment deepens the contrast between light and shadow, giving the shot a raw, cinematic quality. Her relaxed posture feels both candid and quietly intentional.
Dark Studio Portrait in Black
A woman poses against a shadowed backdrop in a deep-V ruched mini dress, her body turned slightly with a cool, direct gaze. The black-and-white treatment sharpens the contrast between light and shadow, drawing focus to her composed expression and the dresss textured silhouette.
Retro Plaid and a Confident Stance
A wide-legged pose anchors this throwback look, pairing a knotted crop top with matching plaid trousers and bucket hat. The black-and-white treatment deepens the 70s mood, while the models hand-on-hip attitude gives the whole frame an effortless edge.
Quiet Confidence in Neutral Tones
A young woman with long auburn hair and scattered freckles holds a relaxed, guarded pose against a soft grey backdrop. Her direct gaze carries a cool, understated intensity. The simple black tank top keeps the focus entirely on her expression.
Arms Up, Eyes Forward
A young woman with copper-red hair pinned loosely raises her arms behind her head, holding a direct, calm gaze. She wears a deep red smocked top and a delicate silver pendant necklace. The dim, moody backdrop keeps all attention on her face and posture.
Low Crouch in Monochrome Grey
A young woman holds a deep squat pose against a moody concrete backdrop, dressed head-to-toe in charcoal crop top, cargo pants, and chunky boots. Her curly ponytail falls loosely over one shoulder as her gaze drifts upward, giving the shot a quiet, composed tension.
Studio Noir in Black Velvet
A model perches on a white cube in a deep-V black mini dress and knee-high boots, her gaze tilted upward with quiet confidence. The high-contrast black-and-white lighting carves sharp shadows across the frame, giving the image a cinematic, editorial weight.
Red Light, Sharp Angles
Bathed in deep crimson studio light, she sits low with arms folded forward, her gaze direct and unhurried. The tousled bob and layered chain necklaces add texture against the all-black outfit. Shadow and light carve a dramatic contrast across her silhouette.
All Black, Floor-Level Poise
She sits low to the ground in a deep-V wrap top and wide-leg trousers, her gaze lifted and distant. The black-and-white studio light carves dramatic shadows across her figure, giving the image a cinematic, editorial weight. A single heeled boot anchors the composition.
Kneeling Studio Portrait in Grey Mini Dress
A young woman kneels on the floor in a fitted grey plaid mini dress with long sleeves and ruffled cuffs, paired with black platform shoes. Shot against a dark neutral backdrop, the mood is cool and composed. A delicate pendant necklace adds a subtle personal touch.
Soft Light Studio Kneeling Pose
A woman with tousled auburn hair kneels on the floor, eyes closed, hands lifted into her hair with quiet confidence. She wears a cream ruffled romper that catches the warm studio light. A floral tattoo on her upper arm adds a subtle, personal detail to the composition.
Noir Mood in Black and White
A woman in a fitted black ribbed dress sits perched on a wooden surface, chin lifted, gaze drifting upward with quiet confidence. A single overhead light cuts through the moody, graffiti-walled space behind her, casting dramatic shadows across her face and shoulders.
And thats a wrap! Whether youre just starting out or youve been drawing for years, having solid pose references in your corner makes a huge difference. The right reference doesnt just help you get proportions right it actually pushes you to try poses youd never attempt freehand. Thats where the real growth happens. Go ahead and bookmark this page, pin your favorites, or save them to a folder youll actually remember to open. The best reference is the one you can find when inspiration strikes at 11pm. Id love to know do you prefer dynamic action poses or more relaxed, everyday poses when youre practicing? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. And if a fellow artist in your life is always hunting for good references, share this with them. Theyll thank you later.