Walking through the vast expanses of the Internet, you can come across such a thing as a reference ... "What is this?" - you ask. You can try to find out this question.
The origin and meaning of the word
The meaning of the word "reference" is found in different sources of information is completely different. For example, photo reference, character reference , there are even more incomprehensible options for using this word, such as a reference list (this is such a document).
The word "reference" in translation from English means "reference, footnote."
We can say about the concept of the word "reference", which is in the broad sense of the word an auxiliary image, that is, a drawing or photograph studied by the artist before starting work in order to more accurately convey the details of the work. Sometimes this word is abbreviated to “ref” or “refk”.
So we conclude about the concept of reference, that it is an analogue of a sketch, only it can be both a drawing and a photograph.
Character creation for reference
Before starting to create a cartoon, anime or comic, a script is written that describes the individual characters.
Based on these characters, you can make a 3D model and use it in games and on sites. You can also make 3D animations for commercials or cartoons.
The most important stage in the production of a cartoon or comic book is the creation of a character, because it is thanks to the distinctive features of the characters, our perception of them and feelings for their fate, we evaluate the quality of the entire cartoon or comic book.
Two-dimensional characters are created on paper, they are drawn in various poses, and three-dimensional characters are created using three-dimensional models. If for the former, drawn character references are suitable, then for 3D models use photo-references to capture the model in space from all angles.
Creating characters is the first stage in the birth of any cartoon or comic book, and the reference is performed to create the image of the future hero. What does this give us?
Using references to create cartoons and comics
Character references are illustrations of specific heroes that show their personal data, appearance and various features. Such refs, or model sheets, include full-length images of a given character and data, such as name, age, eye color, height, etc. Such sheets are used to illustrate comics and teach other artists how to draw this character. They were used by large groups of animators, if it was necessary to reproduce a huge number of frames with the character. Character references helped to unify such a process.
It is possible that the references came from model sheets, that is, such drawings that are designed to work out the appearance of the characters and are used in the creation of comics and cartoons. But model sheets were usually drawn up in black and white, while the references are made in color.
References for sculpting and computer modeling
Photoreferences are used for computer 3D-modeling. These are such sets of nude photoclips. Such references are created in photo studios. Another purpose of such refoks is to create sketches or sculptures. Using photoreferences, the postures of the human body and its natural deformations are determined. Therefore, do not confuse photo references with an erotic photo shoot, since such refs are intended exclusively for further processing and are used in creativity.
The first stage in the creation of a sculpture is the creation of its sketch, but in order for the graphic part to be executed as accurately as possible, sculptors nowadays use photo references. This helps them to see all the nuances of the future work, its location in space, relief features, which will further facilitate the work of the sculptor.
The same goes for artists. If you capture the model in the photo in all possible angles, this will give much more opportunities than creating a sketch, just looking at the model.
Artists and sculptors can find photoreferences in the network for their work, where they are located in the form of collections of cliparts. There you can buy or download for free.
The composition of the references
The composition of the references is inconsistent, it may include the character’s image, his name, some distinguishing features, a description of the parameters, in the form of a scale or a schematic image, comments on some images, images of individual fragments of the body, jewelry, inventory, as well as a full description of the character. But depending on the type of reference, this set may vary, since it is not always necessary to provide a complete set of information about the character.
Photoreferences may not contain any additional information at all, since they are not always used to create characters.