How to Draw The Female Body
Drawing the female form is a skill that every artist aspires to master. Capturing the true beauty of a woman is not an easy task, but with a little bit of patience and practice, you can draw the female body with greater confidence and accuracy. Here are some tips to help get you started.
First and foremost, never forget the importance of gesture drawing. Small quick lines and circles can help to capture the essence of the body in an instant. Gesture drawings don’t have to be perfect. In fact, they can be quite rough as long as they effectively convey the character’s posture. You can start with simple stick figures then build up your drawings with more defined lines.
To accurately capture the unique curves of the female form, consider the basics of anatomy. When drawing the figure, think of shapes that the body creates like rounds, ovals, and circles. The torso should typically be nipped in the waist while the hips should be slightly wider. Once you have the basic anatomy down, study the proportions of the body. You can use geometric shapes to imagine the length of each limb.
To draw the face and other facial features, focus on the flow of lines that make up each feature. Many artists compare facial features to simple shapes like trapezoids, triangles, spheres and even 3D terms like ellipsoid and cuboids. Practice drawing the cheeks, eyes and chin with curved lines to give the figure a softer appearance. To draw realistic hair, imagine it as fibrous. Play around with layering and explore the effects of highlights and shadows.
Now that you have the basics of the figure and face down, it’s time to focus on details. To draw the clothing, imagine it as layered shapes instead of individual pieces. Think about how the fabric would fit the contours of the body in a realistic way. To add texture, you can draw the folds and wrinkles of the fabrics. To accentuate the curves, you can use contrasting colors to add form.
Once you have all the facets in place, step away from the drawing and allow your eyes to rest. Come back with a fresh perspective and you will be amazed at the beauty you can bring to life. With these easy tips, you are ready to take on the challenge of drawing the female form. So pick up a pencil and give it a go!
