How To Draw A Figure
Drawing a figure can seem intimidating and overwhelming, especially for beginners. But with some guidance, practice and patience, you can become an expert at creating awesome figures in no time. Here are some of my top tips for drawing figures that look lifelike, rather than cartoon-y or flat!
Choose the right pencil
The right pencil can make all the difference when drawing a figure. You’ll want to use a pencil that is sharp and won’t smudge too much, so the lines remain clear and visible. My suggestion is to use 2B or HB pencils, as they are the ideal weights for creating detailed yet light strokes that won’t overwhelm the page.
Gather your materials
Having the right materials can also make a huge difference. In addition to your pencil, you’ll want to make sure you have a good eraser and a ruler, for creating crisp lines. You might even want to invest in a mechanical pencil so that you don’t have to keep sharpening the lead. Of course, the most important materials of all will be your reference image, paper and the willingness to learn.
Understand the Anatomy
Before you dive into drawing a figure, it’s important to familiarize yourself with human anatomy. This means understanding and being mindful of the proportions and placements of the body – how the arms fit onto the torso, how many fingers each hand has, and so on. Knowing the anatomy of a human figure will help you create a much more realistic and natural drawing.
Practice the Basics
Before you tackle the more difficult poses, start by practicing your figure drawing skills with basic shapes. Draw basic circles, rectangles, and ovals to get a feel for the flow of the stems, where the head and limbs go. Take your time here, and really focus on mastering the basics. If you can draw a person perfectly in simple shapes, you’ll be ready to move onto a more detailed composition.
Elongate the Figure
In order to create a realistic figure, it’s important to elongate the proportions. Most people assume that humans can be fit into one easy rectangle or cube – however, this isn’t the case. Each limb and body part has its own length and width, and you should take this into consideration when drawing a life-like figure.
Consider the Pose
Figures don’t have to be drawn in a still and lifeless position – consider adding more movement and interest to the composition by posing the figure in a different way. Poses like sitting, standing or jumping can be incredibly challenging to draw, sure – but they make the figure look far more natural and dynamic, so it’s worth the effort.
Know The Details
More often than not, it’s the tiny details that truly make a figure look lifelike. This includes things like the creases in clothing, the length of hair, and the shading on each body part. Even though some of these details are quite small, they can have a huge impact on the overall look of the drawing. Practice adding small details so that you can really bring the figure to life.
Don’t Rush
It’s crucial to remember that figure drawing isn’t meant to be rushed. In fact, if you try to move too quickly, you’ll wind up with a drawing that looks flat and unnatural. Instead, take your time and don’t be afraid to go slow. This way, you can make sure that you create an accurately proportioned, detailed and natural figure.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating realistic, beautiful figures in no time. Practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if your drawings don’t immediately look perfect. Drawing figures can be daunting, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. So pick up your pencil and get ready to make some masterpieces!
Drawing a figure can seem intimidating and overwhelming, especially for beginners. But with some guidance, practice and patience, you can become an expert at creating awesome figures in no time. Here are some of my top tips for drawing figures that look lifelike, rather than cartoon-y or flat!
Choose the right pencil
The right pencil can make all the difference when drawing a figure. You’ll want to use a pencil that is sharp and won’t smudge too much, so the lines remain clear and visible. My suggestion is to use 2B or HB pencils, as they are the ideal weights for creating detailed yet light strokes that won’t overwhelm the page.
Gather your materials
Having the right materials can also make a huge difference. In addition to your pencil, you’ll want to make sure you have a good eraser and a ruler, for creating crisp lines. You might even want to invest in a mechanical pencil so that you don’t have to keep sharpening the lead. Of course, the most important materials of all will be your reference image, paper and the willingness to learn.
Understand the Anatomy
Before you dive into drawing a figure, it’s important to familiarize yourself with human anatomy. This means understanding and being mindful of the proportions and placements of the body – how the arms fit onto the torso, how many fingers each hand has, and so on. Knowing the anatomy of a human figure will help you create a much more realistic and natural drawing.
Practice the Basics
Before you tackle the more difficult poses, start by practicing your figure drawing skills with basic shapes. Draw basic circles, rectangles, and ovals to get a feel for the flow of the stems, where the head and limbs go. Take your time here, and really focus on mastering the basics. If you can draw a person perfectly in simple shapes, you’ll be ready to move onto a more detailed composition.
Elongate the Figure
In order to create a realistic figure, it’s important to elongate the proportions. Most people assume that humans can be fit into one easy rectangle or cube – however, this isn’t the case. Each limb and body part has its own length and width, and you should take this into consideration when drawing a life-like figure.
Consider the Pose
Figures don’t have to be drawn in a still and lifeless position – consider adding more movement and interest to the composition by posing the figure in a different way. Poses like sitting, standing or jumping can be incredibly challenging to draw, sure – but they make the figure look far more natural and dynamic, so it’s worth the effort.
Know The Details
More often than not, it’s the tiny details that truly make a figure look lifelike. This includes things like the creases in clothing, the length of hair, and the shading on each body part. Even though some of these details are quite small, they can have a huge impact on the overall look of the drawing. Practice adding small details so that you can really bring the figure to life.
Don’t Rush
It’s crucial to remember that figure drawing isn’t meant to be rushed. In fact, if you try to move too quickly, you’ll wind up with a drawing that looks flat and unnatural. Instead, take your time and don’t be afraid to go slow. This way, you can make sure that you create an accurately proportioned, detailed and natural figure.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating realistic, beautiful figures in no time. Practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if your drawings don’t immediately look perfect. Drawing figures can be daunting, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. So pick up your pencil and get ready to make some masterpieces!
