Is McKenna in Motion - Part 2 - Reference Photography worth it if you’re shopping in Photography?

If you are a figure artist, you know the specific frustration of hunting for reference material that actually works. You need a model who holds a pose long enough to capture the subtle shifts in muscle tension, or you need a sequence that shows how weight transfers through the body in real time. Stock photo sites are rarely built for this; they give you a frozen moment, not the study you need to understand anatomy in motion. That is exactly where Howard Lyon’s second collaboration with McKenna, a classically trained ballet dancer, becomes a useful tool in your studio. (McKenna in Motion -)

Quick answer

What you’re actually buying

For $16, you are not just buying a folder of pictures; you are buying a curated study of the human figure in its most expressive state. The pack contains 645 high-resolution images of McKenna, which is a substantial volume for a single session. Because McKenna is a classically trained ballet dancer, the references capture a level of articulation and poise that is difficult to find in casual modeling. You get to see how the spine curves, how the shoulders rotate, and how the legs engage in ways that are specific to trained movement. (McKenna in Motion -)

This is Part 2 of a collaboration, and Howard Lyon notes that he finds this set even more amazing than the first. That suggests a refined eye for what makes a reference useful: not just “a person dancing,” but specific angles and moments that reveal the mechanics of the body. The images are ready for you to use immediately as the basis for sketches, studies, or digital paintings. The resolution is high enough that you can zoom in to study the details of muscle definition or the tension in a tendon without pixelation getting in the way. (McKenna in Motion -)

The licensing is straightforward and artist-friendly. You can use these images to create your own work without copyright restriction, as long as you are re-interpreting them into your own art. You cannot republish, sell, or distribute the raw photos themselves, which is standard for reference packs. This means you can build a portfolio piece, a client deliverable, or a personal study directly from this material without worrying about legal gray areas. (McKenna in Motion -)

Why it’s on our radar

This pack stands out because it solves the “static reference” problem. Most figure reference packs are a collection of random poses, often from different models, which makes it hard to track how one body moves from one position to another. Here, you have a single model, a single session, and a single aesthetic. That consistency allows you to trace the line of action across multiple images and understand the flow of movement. (McKenna in Motion -)

The specificity of the model is also a key factor. Ballet dancers have a distinct physicality—long lines, strong core engagement, and precise footwork—that is incredibly valuable for artists who want to draw dynamic, energetic figures. If you are working on a piece that requires a sense of grace, tension, or athletic power, McKenna in Motion - Part 2 provides a rich source of inspiration. It is a niche tool that serves a specific need with high-quality execution.

What actually matters

Before you check out, consider how you use reference material. If you work from a single image, 645 might feel like a lot, but if you are building a study of movement, this volume is a goldmine. You can spend weeks just exploring the different angles and poses without running out of material. (McKenna in Motion -)

Check the file formats and resolution on the Gumroad page to ensure they match your workflow. If you are doing large-format digital painting, you will want to confirm that the image sizes are sufficient for your canvas. If you are doing quick sketching, the resolution is more than enough.

Also, consider the aesthetic fit. McKenna’s style is classical and poised. If your work is gritty, abstract, or heavily stylized in a way that doesn’t align with this kind of reference, you might find the pack less useful. But if you are working in a realistic or semi-realistic style, the quality of the lighting and the clarity of the poses will be a significant asset. (McKenna in Motion -)

Mid-check

If you are ready to add a high-quality movement reference library to your toolkit, you can See current options to download the pack.

FAQ

Can I use these images for commercial work? Yes, you can use the images as references to create your own commercial art. The license allows you to re-interpret the photos into your own work without copyright restriction. You just cannot sell or distribute the original photos themselves. (McKenna in Motion -)

Is this a video pack or just stills? This is a pack of 645 high-resolution still images. It is not a video, but the volume of images allows you to study the progression of movement across different frames. (McKenna in Motion -)

How does this differ from Part 1? Part 2 is a new session with the same model, McKenna. Howard Lyon describes it as even more amazing than the first set, suggesting a refined selection of poses and angles. If you already have Part 1, this is a complementary addition that expands your library of references. (McKenna in Motion -)

Bottom line

If you are an artist who needs reliable, high-quality references for studying the human figure in motion, this pack is a strong value. You get a large volume of images from a single, well-lit session with a model who has the physical training to produce the kind of dynamic poses that make figure drawing interesting. At $16, it is an affordable way to access a library that will serve you for months of study and creation. (McKenna in Motion -)

If you are ready to start sketching from a more dynamic source, View on Gumroad to get your copy.