This is my archive of links to various websites I visit to look up references or find resources. I update this page when I find new information that can help anyone who wants to learn how to make comics and art.
Art References
SketchDaily References
This website is a good place to learn figure and anatomy drawing when you don’t have access to a Life Drawing Class or a model to draw. It isn’t as good as seeing the person yourself, but this will do for those who want to keep practicing anatomy.
Animal Photo References Search
A great place to get animal references for head angles that are difficult to acquire. Support the Ko-Fi page too!
Textures.com
Despite mainly used for 3D modeling, a 2D artist can still use this website to find textures and reference photos to everyday objects to depict them believably.
Ctrl+Paint
If you want to learn how to make digital art, there’s no better free resource than this one. Pro Illustrator, Matt Kohr, built a colossal archive of techniques, tips, and advice about how to work in the ever-changing digital art landscape.
My YouTube Tech Tips Playlist
Whenever I’m struggling with general technology problems, or I need help learning how to work digitally, I save the more helpful videos in this playlist in no specific order.
Soniss GDC SFX
For anyone needing free film game or Sound Effects for actual commercial and money use.
Game Development References
Pixel Logic – A Guide to Pixel Art by Micheal Azzi (Paid PDF Book)
This is the best recourse I’ve ever had on making Pixel Art! Buying this book is how pixel art “clicked” for me, so I highly recommend it!
Lospec
Lospec has a giant variety of tools and resources for creating pixel art. I recommend checking out the Palette List to test yourself on color management and to simply have some color theory resources!
The Sprinter’s Resource
Rips of existing video game sprites are here for you to peruse and learn from! There’s no better spot to find pixel art than this website!
Yacht Club Games
Learn pixel art from the people who made Shovel Knight!
2D Will Never Die
Kiwi’s website is an incredible collection of tips for learning pixel art with Photoshop and GIMP! I trek through the Pro Tips section to really push my pixel work to the next level!
Derek Yu’s Pixel Art Tutorial
Learn how to create pixel art from the creator of Spelunky!
Yarn Spinner
Yarn Spinner is a programming backend to make it simple to program dialogue into an indie game you might want to make!
Steamworks Store Graphical Assets Requirements
When you want to publish a game on Steam, they have requirements on how to set up the image a graphic asset for these stores. Knowing this stuff is great for planning any illustrations that you’ll be making or drawing.
Online Stores
Dick Blick
The best general art supplier you can find!
JetPens
A great place to buy specialized Pens for inking comics or caligraphy.
Newegg
A top place to get computer parts and software.
Slick Deals
If you want an item but it’s currently out of your budget or stock, you can set up an email notification system to let you know when an item is selling for cheap or just available.
Ebay
Ebay is a good Amazon alternative for items that are too specific to find. You can do more than bid on items on Ebay but you can find deals cheaper than Amazon if you keep track of the products you bid on.
PC PartPicker
When looking to build a new PC or upgrade my current PC, I look towards this site to tell me which parts are compatible with each other and within your personal budget!
Writing and Research
Channel 101 Story Structure Tutorial
If you can’t afford to buy Save the Cat or Story, or look up Joseph Campbell’s research on stories and myths, Dan Harmon has you covered with showing you the simplified basics of storytelling.
Superpower Wiki
A large list of Superpowers and abilities used in comics and media!
Cover Browser
I like comic covers and book cover illustrations so finding this was a holy grail of great and terrible covers!
Internet Movie Fire Arms Database
A compendium of gun models used in Movies and Media.
Internet Movie Cars Database
Like IMFDB but for Cars makes and models in movies.
Encyclopedia Mythica
Encyclopedia Mythica is an encyclopedia on mythology and folklore. It’s a great place to find a great idea for an obscure monster or creature.
Legal Stuff
Resources for protecting your work and making sure you aren’t ripped off and left destitute while business ghouls and art thieves profit from your work.
United States Copyright Office
When you draw a picture, you are the sole owner of that picture but in the world of the internet, it’s not as solid. By getting it registered by the US Copyright Office you will solidify your ownership of your art. The “poor man’s copyright” is completely useless and will never hold up in court. It’s cheap to do, so you have little excuse not to put in your money, to save yourself a lot more money in the long run.
Graphics Artist Guild
The Graphic Artist Guild website is the best resource for professional workers in the Graphic Arts industry, which includes Graphic Design, Web Design, Illustration, Cartooning, Animation, Surface Design, and more! If you want to be a pro don’t forget to get the Pricing & Ethical Guidelines Handbook as well!