How to Draw Abs for Female Figures
It’s intimidating to start sketching out abs for female figures, but drawing the perfect set of abdominal muscles doesn’t have to be an epic struggle. Through the right mix of proportion, observation, and practice, soon enough you’ll be creating a ripped figure like nature intended. Check out these four simple steps and you’ll be on your way to drawing abs you’ll be proud of.
Step One: Lay a Foundation
When laying the foundation for your figure’s torso, use a larger circle to represent the ribcage and a smaller, slightly elongated circle to symbolize the abdomen. To make the figure more anatomically accurate, V-form the circles and leave gaps between them. Next, draw a line connecting both circles and establish the figure’s midsection with three or four parallel lines.
Step Two: Set up Guide Lines
The guide lines will help you place the figure’s abs in precise locations and angles. Without a basic skeleton, your abs will have an awkward and uneven appearance. Boil them down to an essential division of three from top to bottom and draw lines dissecting the torso horizontally and vertically. Remember to space the lines evenly and angle them slightly inward as they move towards the lower abdomen.
Step Three: Design the Muscles
Once you’ve established the boundaries of the abs, begin to fill in the material. Make sure to keep the muscles in proportion and centered with the guide lines. Also, make sure to not to make them too bulky, as will hardly ever be the case. Instead of drawing out a large mass of rectangles, focus on creating light curves as muscles tend to be more subtle and freer-flowing than they may appear.
Step Four: Finish Polishing
Now’s the time to add depth and contouring to your figure! Depending on your style, you can accent the outside of the abs with thinner, line-weighted curves or fill them in with bulkier shading. To make the figure stand out, try coating the abdominal muscles with a light shadowing. Lightly brush the outside of the abs with darker hues, creating the illusion of depth and definition in the figure.
Put it All Together
Now’s the time to put it all together and bring it to life. In just four steps, you’ve designed a complex and realistic abdominal set. With a few tweaks and modifications, you can quickly draw abs for any type of female figure. The process may require patience and experience, but soon enough you’ll be battling it out with professional illustrators.
Practice Makes Perfect
The key to drawing appealing abs isn’t necessarily the complexity, but rather the consistency. Lay out the basic guidelines and patterns, and from there make minor adjustments here and there. Drawing natural abs requires practice and some trial and error. However, through observation and skill, soon enough your illustrations will look like masterpieces.
Sculpt the Ultimate Form
Whether you’re new to digital art or an experienced illustrator, drawing abs for female figures follows a simple and comprehensive process. As you design each abdominal shelf, carefully consider the detail and craftsmanship you’re investing in your artwork. Spend time combing through the curves and angles, and with a bit of practice, you’ll soon master the perfect combination of anatomy and art.
Observe and Connect
Take this process beyond the screen and onto the streets. Discover your creative spirit in reality by studying people and their muscular anatomy. An eye for detail, comfort with shapes and lines, and the ability to snap to curves are all valuable traits when drawing abs. Developing a deep appreciation of physical beauty, both in art and life, can even elevate your artistic ability to a higher level.
