Steps to Drawing a Human
Drawing humans can be a tricky endeavor, but it’s a great way to practice your art skills and develop your creativity. With the right techniques, you can make a beautiful work of art that will draw attention whether in your studio or online. Here are the steps to drawing a human:
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
The first step to drawing a human is gathering the necessary materials. Grab a pencil, eraser, ruler, and sketchbook and start to sketch. If you plan to create a digital illustration, use an app like Procreate or Adobe Photoshop for your software. Prepare the papers or canvas that you need for the size of your artwork.
Step 2: Referencing Photos
To give you an idea of how humans look, it’s helpful to find robust photos and sketches of people from various angles and positions. This way, you have an example on how to draw people correctly. You can source photos from publications, art books, and websites.
Step 3: Sketch the Outline
Now that you’ve got your supplies and references, it’s time to put pencil to paper. Start by sketching lightly with your pencil, laying down the lines and shapes of your character’s body. After sketching the outline, begin sketching details such as the face, arms, legs, and torso.
Step 4: Add Color
Next, you’ll want to add color to your human figure. If you’re using traditional art supplies, you can use watercolor paints or colored pencils to add color and details. If you’re working digitally, you can use a variety of tools like brushes, gradients, and textures to customize your figure.
Step 5: Refine the Figure
Once you’ve applied color, you’ll have to refine the figure. Focus on elements like outfits, subtle movements, facial expressions, shading, and details like hair, tattoos, and jewelry. Try to make the figure look as realistic as possible by adding realistic perspectives and other effects.
Step 6: Post-Production
When you’re finished with your figure, you’re ready to move on to the post-production phase. Start by adding any required layers of color, textures, and effects. If you’re digitally creating your figure, do any final touches to the sound, lighting and shadows digitally.
Step 7: Final Touches
The last step is to give your figure a final shining touch. Depending on your figure, add any elements required to make it look complete. If you need to add some finishing touches to the artwork, such as adding shadows and highlight, do so. Once you’re done, admire your work and be proud of the beautiful artwork you’ve created.
The last step is entirely up to you, but it’s a great idea to share your artwork with the world. Whether you choose to post it on social media, share it with your friends and family, or enter it in a contest, it’s always a great feeling to show off your work and get recognition for your skills.
