Drawing Arms Crossed
Contrary to popular belief, it is not as difficult to draw arms crossed as it looks. All you need is the right knowledge and the right tools for drawing. Once you have the basics down, you can draw a simple, yet fantastic-looking crossed arms pose with ease.
Tools Needed
To draw arms crossed, you will need a few essential supplies. Firstly, you will need a pencil. Pencils have a soft lead that work great for sketching and shading in primary outlines. You may also want some tracing paper, so you can trace your original sketch and erase any mistakes. Finally, you may want some colored markers, so you can bring your sketch to life. Having the right supplies is the first step to a successful crossed arms drawing.
Draw Arms Step-by-Step
Next, you will want to sketch the outline of an arm in the crossed arms position. The first arm should be slightly larger to serve as a reference arm. Start by lightly sketching a few basic shapes with short strokes from your pencil, such as circles and rectangles. These shapes will be the building blocks of your crossed arms figure.
Once you have the primary structure in place, you can start filling in details. Add wrinkles to the fabric of the clothing, then draw the musculature of the arm. Make sure to draw in the elbow joint, so it looks more realistic. Finally, start adding shading. Use a deeper pencil lead as you darken certain areas.
When you’re finished with the first arm, you’ll want to sketch the second arm in the same manner. Follow the same basic steps you used for the first arm and continue to pay attention to details. Remember to carefully mimic the shading and fabric wrinkles of the first arm to ensure a realistic final drawing. And voila! You have just successfully drawn arms crossed!
Tips & Tricks
When drawing arms crossed, there are a few tips and tricks you can keep in mind. Firstly, always sketch out the bones and musculature of the arm before adding clothing. This will help you achieve a more realistic look. Secondly, take your time! Drawing arms crossed is a complex figure, and if you rush, you’ll only create mistakes which you’ll have to erase. Finally, practice, practice, practice! Draw arms crossed as often as possible, so you can hone your skill and perfect your technique.
Other Variations
Finally, you can draw other variations of arms crossed. For instance, if you’d like to draw two arms crossed in a hugging position, simply draw the first arm the same way you did before, then draw the second arm close to the first arm, bending inwards slightly. You can also draw arms crossed over the chest, which is a typical defensive posture. To create this pose, draw the arms bent inwards with the elbows slightly touching. Similarly, you can draw arms crossed in front of the body, with the hands resting on the waist.
With the right tools and a little practice, you can easily create realistic-looking arms crossed drawings with ease. From a friendly hug to a defensive posture, the possibilities are endless. All you have to do is pick up your pencil and get to work!
