So, I'm about to make a "triumphant return" to DA, and I wanted my opening piece to be an updated Rainbow Brite. Why? Because my daughter watches it non-stop, so I've got 'Brite on the Brain.

Anyway, I searched around DA for hours (literally) looking for stock or reference shots of girls aged about 10 - 15, because I don't know how to draw bodies in that age group. Nothing. So I went to Google. Nothing useful - all cropped shots or tiny pictures. I tried searching for tween stars, but they're all made to look so grown-up now that they lost the look and proportions I needed (Hello, Talyor Momsen! Kid looks like she's older than me!).

I understand why this is so: Tween girls are in that awkward age between childhood and teenager hood. They're just starting to look like girls in some ways, and with that burgeoning maturation comes a hint of sexuality - something that makes people nervous and uncomfortable. Either you find pictures of four year olds or of teens who look like adults - this age is unnerving, jail-bait territory. I get that.

But it's annoying for me because I need references!

Then, magically, I stumbled upon a few great resources. I'm sharing them here because I thought that someone else might need them. The first is a website for dance outfits. These are good because they provide flow and movement, they're fitted, and the tweens look like freakin' tweens. And they're not ridiculously thin, which relates to my last point:
[link]
Aside from the heavy makeup, this is great. There's also a section for kids which is equally awesome. And, they have boys on it too! Now I can do a Red Butler pic!

This next source isn't as good in some ways, but it's got some okay poses and neat outfits for inspiration:
[link]

I would question the sanity of any parent who lets their tween wear this costume, though:
[link]

Like, for reals.