Standing pose reference
Standing pose reference with real weight shift
A standing figure is never just standing. Use these 3D standing poses to study weight, balance and attitude, then turn them to the exact angle of your character.
Front
3/4 front
Side
BackStanding poses
30 poses. Click a pose to see it from every angle, then open it in the 3D Studio to adjust and export it.
ContrappostoStanding · Relaxed 
Neutral standingStanding 
Hands on hipsStanding 
Arms crossedStanding · Relaxed 
ThinkingStanding · Relaxed 
Looking over the shoulderStanding · Relaxed 
WavingStanding · Relaxed 
Pointing upPointing · Standing 
Carrying a heavy bagCarrying · Balance 
Peace signStanding · Relaxed 
Sword on the shoulderStanding · Relaxed 
Back hugTwo people · Standing 
"I'm a little teapot..."Motion capture 
Motion capture poseMotion capture 
StandingMotion capture 
Grip barMotion capture 
Rond de jambe in the airMotion capture 
Attitude/arabesqueMotion capture 
Motion capture poseMotion capture 
DinosaurMotion capture 
Motion capture poseMotion capture 
Retire derriereMotion capture 
RunMotion capture 
Mickey cast spellMotion capture 
Left Front KickingMotion capture 
Motion capture poseMotion capture 
Jump up to grabMotion capture 
Motion capture poseMotion capture 
Indian danceMotion capture 
Back StrokeMotion capture
Includes poses derived from the CMU Graphics Lab Motion Capture Database (mocap.cs.cmu.edu), created with funding from NSF EIA-0196217.
Drawing a convincing standing pose
- Weight first. Decide which leg carries the body. That hip rises, the knee locks, and the foot sits under the head.
- Opposition. The shoulder line tilts against the hip line. Exaggerate it slightly; it reads as natural on paper.
- Attitude through the arms. Hands on hips push the elbows out and widen the silhouette; crossed arms close it. The same legs can read as confident or guarded depending on the arms alone.
- Turn it. Most standing references are photographed from the front. Turn the figure to a three-quarter or back view (like looking over the shoulder) to see how the twist runs through the torso.
Standing poses from real people
Motion-capture frames add the everyday standing poses that are hard to invent: mid-gesture while talking, shifting weight, turning to look. They’re a good antidote to the symmetrical “mannequin” stance.
Frequently asked questions
What is contrapposto?
A standing pose with the weight on one leg: the hip over the supporting leg rises, the shoulders tilt the opposite way and the spine forms a gentle S. It makes standing figures look alive instead of stiff.
How do I make a standing pose look less stiff?
Shift the weight onto one leg, tilt the shoulders against the hips, turn the head slightly and give the arms different jobs. Check the balance: the centre of mass should sit over the supporting foot.
Can I check whether my standing figure is balanced?
Yes. In the Studio, turn on “Centre line” in the Display panel. It drops a plumb line from the centre of mass; in a balanced standing pose it lands over the supporting foot or between the feet.
Keep practising
Make the exact pose you need
Start from any of these poses, then adjust joints, hands, body type and camera in the Studio. Export a PNG, a GIF or AI guide images.