24 Woman Pose References Every Artist Needs to See

Okay, so if youve ever sat down to draw a figure and just… blanked, youre not alone. It happens to literally every artist at some point. You know the pose you want in your head but getting it onto paper is a whole different story. Thats honestly why having a solid reference collection is such a game changer. I put together 24 woman pose references that cover so much ground standing, sitting, dynamic action poses, relaxed everyday stuff. Whether youre working on character design, figure drawing practice, or just trying to get better at anatomy, theres something in here for you. Some of these I totally wish Id had when I was first starting out. The variety is what makes this collection worth bookmarking. So grab your sketchbook, maybe a coffee, and lets get into it. Trust me, youll want to save these.

Head Back, Eyes Closed

A woman in a fitted black turtleneck bodysuit kneels with her head tilted back and eyes closed, bathed in dramatic side lighting against a dark gray backdrop. The pose captures a sense of quiet surrender, her tousled short hair and red lips the only soft contrasts against the deep shadows.

Earthy Tones on a Studio Floor

A young woman with auburn hair sits low to the ground, one hand raised to the back of her head in a relaxed, candid gesture. Her monochromatic brown palette ribbed crop top, dark skirt, and chunky lace-up boots reads effortlessly cool against the soft grey backdrop.

Soft Light, Sheer White Chiffon

A woman in a flowing sheer mini dress stands with her gaze cast downward, arms slightly extended as the fabric drifts around her. The moody teal-dark backdrop contrasts with the luminous white chiffon, giving the image a dreamlike, almost ethereal quality.

Crimson Silk and Quiet Confidence

A woman perches with crossed legs, draped in a flowing sheer red robe that pools around her like liquid. Her gaze lifts slightly off-camera with cool composure, red lips matching the fabric. The dark studio backdrop deepens the contrast, giving the image a painterly, classical quality.

Soft Light, Quiet Confidence

A woman in a white textured crop top and mini skirt sits with a relaxed, slightly forward lean, her gaze lifted and distant. The black-and-white tones deepen the mood, while side lighting carves sharp contrast across her figure and the bare wall behind her.

Crimson Lace in Studio Shadow

A woman in a deep red lace robe crouches low, her gaze lifted and eyes half-closed against a cool grey backdrop. Dramatic side lighting carves sharp contrast across her face and bare legs, giving the image a painterly, sculptural quality.

Kneeling pose with upward gaze

A woman kneels on the floor in a gray tank top and black leggings, head tilted back with eyes closed. The soft studio lighting casts gentle shadows across her figure, emphasizing the long line of her neck and the quiet, introspective mood of the pose.

Quiet Intensity on a Studio Stool

Shot in black and white, a woman perches on a stool with her chin resting on one hand, gaze fixed directly at the camera. The dramatic side lighting carves deep shadows across her ribbed tee and loose updo, giving the frame a moody, editorial weight.

Braided Hair, Monochrome Studio Pose

A woman stands in a relaxed three-quarter pose against a neutral background, her gaze drifting off to the side. The black-and-white rendering emphasizes the soft contrast of light across her figure. A delicate layered necklace draws the eye toward the neckline.

Dark Lace and Distant Gaze

A woman kneels against a muted gray backdrop, her gaze lifted upward with quiet intensity. She wears a black lace lingerie set paired with sheer ruffled stockings and a velvet choker. Loose waves of sun-kissed hair spill over her shoulders, softening the mood.

Old Hollywood Noir in Black and White

A woman leans forward in a strapless lace-trimmed corset dress, her gaze cast slightly upward with quiet intensity. Fishnet stockings and soft studio lighting give the shot a cinematic, vintage quality. The monochrome palette sharpens every shadow and contour.

Golden Hour on the Floor

Soft window light wraps around a woman seated on the floor, her loose updo catching a warm backlit glow. She gazes downward in quiet stillness, dressed in a fitted long-sleeve top. The bokeh of distant string lights adds a dreamy depth to the room.

Effortless Cool in Dark Silk

A woman in a deep olive button-down shirt and brown leather belt holds a jacket loosely at her side. Round amber-tinted sunglasses and dangling earrings frame a relaxed, slightly turned pose. The painterly backdrop gives the whole look a warm, editorial softness.

Braided Red Hair Studio Portrait

A young woman crouches low against a neutral backdrop, her auburn double braids framing a steady, direct gaze. Bold red lips contrast with a white lace top and dusty rose shorts. One hand rests lightly under her chin, giving the pose a quiet, contemplative weight.

Dark Studio Portrait with Lifted Arm

A woman in a black sports bra raises one arm overhead, fingers loosely gathering her dark, wavy hair. The moody studio lighting casts soft shadows across her collarbone and shoulders. Her downward gaze gives the pose a quiet, introspective quality.

Grace in Shadow and Light

A dancer in a black long-sleeve leotard tilts her head back with one arm raised overhead, her body forming a quiet, elongated arc. The dim studio lighting carves dramatic contrast across her figure, lending the pose a sculptural, almost cinematic quality.

Chin Up, Eyes Closed

Shot in black and white against a bare studio backdrop, the figure tilts her head back with hands resting on her hips a pose that feels both defiant and dreamy. The deep-V top and flowy mini skirt move with her silhouette, while dramatic side lighting carves sharp contrast across her frame.

Warm Light, Eyes Closed

She tilts her chin upward with one arm raised behind her head, dark wavy hair falling loosely around her face. The ribbed brown crop top blends into the moody, shadow-heavy background. Soft warm light catches her cheekbones and coral lips.

Quiet Confidence in Black and White

A young woman in a simple black tee glances over her shoulder, fist resting lightly at her chin. The high-contrast monochrome lighting casts deep shadows across her face, drawing attention to her freckles and steady gaze. The mood is understated and self-possessed.

Head tilted back, eyes closed

A woman in a fitted black turtleneck bodysuit sits with her chin lifted and eyes closed, curly hair loosely pinned up. The dramatic studio lighting carves deep shadows across her silhouette, giving the shot a moody, sculptural quality.

Studio Noir in Black and White

A woman sits low on the floor in a black bodysuit and fishnet tights, her gaze lifted away from the camera with quiet intensity. The high-contrast monochrome lighting carves deep shadows along her arms and collarbone, giving the image a cinematic, editorial stillness.

Studio Portrait in Black and White

A young woman sits with a quiet, direct gaze, her loose braid falling over a billowy white linen blouse cinched at the waist. The chiaroscuro lighting casts deep shadows against the neutral backdrop, giving the image a timeless, painterly quality.

Kneeling Pose with Head Tilted Back

A woman kneels on the floor, head tilted back with eyes closed in a relaxed, expressive pose. She wears a white ruched crop top, loose light-wash jeans, and a gold chain necklace. Her loosely pinned updo adds a casual, effortless quality to the studio shot.

Dark Romance in Black and White

A woman in a fitted spaghetti-strap dress tilts her head back, one hand raised to her neck, her tousled bob caught mid-movement. The dramatic chiaroscuro lighting carves deep shadows across her collarbone and shoulders. The mood is cinematic and quietly intense.

And thats a wrap! Honestly, having a solid library of pose references is one of those things that quietly levels up your art without you even realizing it. Whether youre sketching for fun or working on a serious project, these 24 woman pose references give you a real foundation to build from. The goal was never to copy its to understand how the body moves, flows, and tells a story. Once that clicks, your figures start feeling alive instead of stiff. Save this post somewhere youll actually find it again (we both know how fast things get buried). Share it with an artist friend whos been struggling with figure drawing too theyll thank you later. Now Im curious: which pose type do you find hardest to draw? Dynamic action poses, relaxed everyday moments, or something else? Drop it in the comments lets talk about it!