Drawing people isn’t as hard as you might think! It might take some time to get it right, but with a few tricks and techniques, you can achieve success. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, you can start creating amazing portraits.
Start with the Basics
Drawing realistic people starts with the basics. Get comfortable with all the basics, from drawing circles and rectangles to mastering the use of proportion. Drawing isn’t as intimidating as it seems, and practice makes perfect! Find an image you like and recreate it as closely as you can, or try freestyle and make something new. Once you become more familiar with the basics, you can start adding in a few unique touches.
Practice Lining Up Features
One of the more advanced techniques to drawing realistic people is getting all of the features in line. Concentrating on one limb at a time, draw lines that connect where they should, like from the wrist to the elbow and elbow to shoulder. Do the same with the face, drawing lines from the corner of the eyes to the chin and lips, and the bridge of the nose.
Focus on the Details
If you want the people you draw to look lifelike, you need to pay attention to the details. Pay attention to the neck, fingers, knuckles, hair, and imaginary lines. Put in small wrinkles, shadows, and other fine details to make your pictures look perfect! Don’t be afraid to take your time and take breaks.
Utilize Color
Colors are not essential for creating realistic portraits. But if you want to increase the realism of your drawing, colors can go a long way. Try to match colors to the person you’re drawing, keep colors consistent, and make adjustments if necessary. If you want some extra help, you can even print out a color wheel and pick your colors accordingly.
Focus on Practice
As with any skill, practice is the most important part of being able to consistently draw realistic people. Don’t be too hard on yourself if your drawings don’t come out perfect every time. It takes patience, effort, and dedication to be able to draw realistic people. Keep practicing, and you’ll be able to show off your skills in no time.
Endless Possibilities
Drawing people doesn’t have to be strict or confined. There are endless possibilities for creativity. Try drawing people in motion, or in odd poses. You can even create your own characters and personalities. There are no limits when it comes to creativity, so go wild!
Go Out of Your Comfort Zone
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. If you’re used to drawing one style of people, why not try something different? Draw abstract or exaggerated shapes, or try combining forms and styles like cubism. Even if you have a favorite style, don’t be afraid to mix it up every once in a while.
Find Inspiration
No matter your skill level, you can find great sources of inspiration online. Look at art galleries and magazines, learn from history and try to replicate works you admire. Don’t forget to draw from life either—try sketching or painting someone you know! Find new places, things, and people to draw, and your drawings will become more interesting and unique.
