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Why Ball-Jointed Dolls Make the Perfect Character Art Reference

Ball-jointed dolls might seem a little unusual, but they’re actually amazing for character art references! 🎨✨


Character reference photo

Here’s why:

Cute, stylized features – Perfect for drawing expressive characters.

Swappable wigs & eyes – Instantly change the look and personality of your subject.

Easy to photograph – Pose them under different lighting to study form and shadows.


The only downside? They’re pricey! The wigs, outfits, and dolls themselves can cost a fortune. But I made the investment for you!


Lighting reference for characters
Get these references and more inside my Free Character Art Starter Kit for Procreate

I purchased the stunning Mari doll from Iplehouse.com and photographed her under dozens of lighting scenarios and angles. This helped me build a huge collection of 1000+ reference images—all available in my Character Drawing Essentials course.


💡 Good news! I slipped a few of my favorites into my FREE Character Art Starter Kit for Procreate!


🎁 Inside the Starter Kit, You’ll Get:

A Mini Procreate Brush Set – Sketch, shade & add details with 3 essential brushes

Quick-Start Character Reference Pack – Instant inspiration for confident drawing

Facial Proportions Guide – Break down proportions so your characters look just right

Step-by-Step Sketching Demo – Follow along and bring your character to life


The best part? You can use these references for your personal and commercial projects, no extra cost!


Procreate character art kit free

gabrielle-brickey

hey! I'm Gabrielle

My passion is teaching artists like YOU how to create art that you can be proud of. I'm so excited to help you improve your art skills, gain confidence, and create the art you've always dreamed of making!

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