How To Draw The Body
Drawing the body can be daunting for many. But there are some basics to keep in mind when tackling this task. Whether an artist is attempting to capture an exact figure of a human or create a character of their own, understanding the shape and anatomy of the human body is essential. From head to toe, drawing the body can be done by anyone.
Starting At The Top: The Head
When starting out a figure of a person, whether it be through digital mediums or traditional, the head is often the most difficult aspect to nail down. One of the best tips to begin with a head is to draw a circle to represent the cranium. From there, divide that circle into four equal parts to indicate the ears. From the ears, draw a vertical line, splitting the circle into two separate parts. This horizontal line indicates the cranium from the face. It’s best practice to keep the lines lightly at this point as it can be erased when the project is finished.
Next, draw two curved lines for the eyes, landing just below the halfway mark on the vertical line. Curved lines work best for eyes, as the convex shape of the eyes can easily be realized when done in this style. The bridge of the nose falls near the bottom of the vertical line, with two short, curved lines that indicate each nostril. Lastly, a curved line can be drawn along the vertical line to indicate the lips. Take the line from the outer corner of each eye, curving down around the nose, and back up the other side to indicate a mouth.
How much detail is added is up to the artist; eyebrows, eyelashes, and other facial hair can be added to give the character its own individualized look.
Neck & Shoulders
Immediately following the drawing of the head is the neck. Drawing a neck is a relatively simple process. It usually follows the shape of the head but with a little extra length. From the neck follows the shoulders, which tend to create their own unique shape on each every human. To start a figure off, initiate a rounded, curved line at the base of the neck and move up and outward, creating a ‘Y’ shape. This is a basic outline of the shoulders, but details such as curves, creases, and dips should be added in to indicate texture and semblance of a real figure.
The Torso Comes Next
The torso and abdominal area are the next parts of the figure when constructing a figure of a human body. In analog drawing, the torso is easiest to start with a curved line to indicate the collarbone, then follow the shape of the shoulders for a fitted top area. Specific details such as tufts of body hair, curves, belly buttons and other details are also emphasized here.
Starting at the waist, draw in a curved line that tapers as it moves downward. This line indicates the hips, usually extending beyond the ribcage, which can be drawn in with a few thin lines starting from the collarbone and exerting outward.
Arms & Legs
Arms and legs are either muscular or lithe, depending on the look a figure is intended to have. Indicate the start of the arms with two rounded lines where the collarbone and shoulder meet. The arms thin out as they reach the wrists and then curve outward when they reach the hands. Detailing such as fingers, tattoos, or markings can then be added.
The same is done with the legs, starting at the base of the hips and then curving outward for the thighs. As the legs thin, the knees become defined, and then slim down until they reach the ankles. Partial circles indicate the feet.
Conclusion
Drawing the body can seem daunting and it’s easy to get overwhelmed while trying to capture the many intricacies of a human figure. But by separating body parts into the head, shoulders, torso, arms, and legs, drawing figures of humans becomes easier and more natural. And by practicing regularly, anyone can become great at drawing the body.
