Best Artist Reference Apps

250+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.5 avg rating
19 free apps
Updated October 2026

From beginner-friendly picks to power-user tools, our artist reference list covers 250+ iPhone apps updated through October 2026. Compare ratings, prices, and screenshots in one place.

Compare top Artist Reference Apps (October 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Artista - Drawing ReferenceArtista - Drawing ReferenceFree4.7★ (22)NoNoOct 2026
2Art Reference: Easel AssistantArt Reference: Easel AssistantFree4.8★ (4)NoYesOct 2026
3Head Model Studio - Art StudyHead Model Studio - Art StudyFree4.6★ (2.5K)NoYesOct 2026
4Pose Maker: 3D Art ReferencePose Maker: 3D Art ReferenceFree4.8★ (5)NoYesNov 2026
5Magic Poser - Art Pose ToolMagic Poser - Art Pose ToolFree3.9★ (13K)NoYesNov 2026
6Handy Art Reference ToolHandy Art Reference Tool$1.994.8★ (1.2K)NoYesNov 2026
7Artist ToolsArtist ToolsFree4.7★ (3)NoYesOct 2026
8RefApp: Art Reference BoardRefApp: Art Reference BoardFree—NoYesOct 2026

Top Picks for Artist Reference

4.7(22 ratings)
Free
Artista - Drawing Reference screenshot 1
Artista - Drawing Reference screenshot 2
Artista - Drawing Reference screenshot 3
Artista - Drawing Reference screenshot 4

Access thousands of high-quality reference photos for your art. Share your creations, learn from others' interpretations, and track your artistic progress over time. This app also features an art community for inspiration and feedback.

Art Reference: Easel Assistant#2

Art Reference: Easel Assistant by Gil Osborne

Grid, Value Study, & Palettes
Strong Contender
🎨 Graphics & Design
4.8(4 ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Art Reference: Easel Assistant screenshot 1
Art Reference: Easel Assistant screenshot 2
Art Reference: Easel Assistant screenshot 3
Art Reference: Easel Assistant screenshot 4
Art Reference: Easel Assistant screenshot 5

This app provides traditional artists with digital tools to aid in physical art creation. Features include value studies, gridlines, side-by-side reference viewing, and curated project collections. It offers a clean, ad-free experience designed for painters and illustrators.

Head Model Studio - Art Study#3

Head Model Studio - Art Study by Wes Castain

Head Plane References
Worth Considering
🎨 Graphics & Design
4.6😊(2.5K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Head Model Studio - Art Study screenshot 1
Head Model Studio - Art Study screenshot 2
Head Model Studio - Art Study screenshot 3
Head Model Studio - Art Study screenshot 4
Head Model Studio - Art Study screenshot 5
Head Model Studio - Art Study screenshot 6

Master portrait drawing with detailed 3D head models. Study facial planes and geometry with customizable lighting and rendering options. Perfect for artists looking to elevate their sketching skills.

What We Love

  • 🎨 Excellent reference tool for artists
  • 🔍 Helpful for understanding head anatomy and planes
  • 🔧 Customizable lighting and model features
  • 💰 Reasonable subscription pricing

Room to Improve

  • 💰 Premium features locked behind paywall
  • 🔒 Lack of free trial to test premium content
  • 🔧 Limited customization options for free users
  • 🐛 Occasional technical issues with lighting and model adjustments

More Artist Reference apps to explore

FAQ about Artist Reference

What are the best artist reference apps for iPhone?
Artista - Drawing Reference tops our artist reference apps ranking as of October 2026, with a 4.7-star average from 22 App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 19 of the top artist reference apps we rank are free to download, including Artista - Drawing Reference and Art Reference: Easel Assistant.
Artista - Drawing Reference has no ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of October 2026.
We track 250+ artist reference apps on the iOS App Store as of October 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.