Drawing Person Walking
From sketching their feet and legs to getting their clothes just right, drawing a person walking can be as challenging as it is rewarding. But with a few basic techniques, you can create a realistic-looking person, no matter your skill level. Here are some tips on how to draw a person walking.
Start With the Legs and Feet
It’s helpful to start with the person’s legs and feet. Begin by sketching the legs in motion and the motion will help to define how the rest of the body will move. Experiment with the angle of the legs, making sure that one leg is slightly ahead of the other to indicate movement. Consider adding some depth by sketching curved lines for calves and thighs to give your person a more realistic look.
Add the Arms and Hands
When you’re happy with the legs and feet, you can add the arms and hands. Start by sketching rings at each joint, including the shoulders and wrists. This will help you to ensure that the angles of the body are correct. Then add detail such as gestures, clothing and accessories. For example, you could have your person carrying a bag or a phone, or using their hands to gesture to somebody.
Focus on the Head and Face Next
The head and face are always an important part of any drawing and will help you to make your person look more realistic. Try to use your imagination to create a face that reflects the emotion of the moment. Is the person walking in anger, excitement, or confusion? Consider adding detail to the face such as eyebrows, freckles, and a mouth that conveys their emotion.
Make Sure the Clothing Is Relevant
Finally, make sure that the clothing you use is relevant to the motion and emotion of your person. If the person is walking quickly and energetically, then their legs and arms should be covered with a soft material that moves with them. For example, if you’re drawing a person in a business suit, then the trousers will be more rigid and the shirt tidy and neat. On the other hand, if you’re drawing someone in casual clothing, then the texture of the clothing should be light and airy.
Give the Drawing a Background
Once you have finished sketching the body and face, add a simple but interesting background. Consider the environment in which your person is walking and the time of day. You could use simple flat colour for a street scene, or a detailed cityscape for a morning walk. This will help to bring your drawing to life and make it feel more realistic.
Enhance Details With Shading and Shadows
Now that you have the basic structure of your drawing complete, you can move onto adding shading and shadows. Start by looking at the various areas of the drawing and deciding where the light is coming from. Then use this as your starting point for adding shadows and highlights. This will help to create a sense of depth and realism in your drawing.
Choose a Colour Palette
Finally, it’s time to choose a colour palette for your drawing. Ensure the colours you use are consistent with the time of day and the environment in which your person is walking. You can also try using complimentary colours or contrasting colours to add some vibrancy and life to your drawing.
