Drawing the Human Body

When drawing the human body, the same procedure used for drawing other subjects applies. Start by looking at the subject as a whole, studying the relationships in size and the positioning of one part to another.

Beginning with its larger shapes, block in the overall shape with light, continuous lines. Before getting too far, ensure that there is enough room to include the full subject desired. For instance, if a full body sketch is sought, mark with a dot or line the top of the head and another dot or line for the feet. From here, indicate rough proportions and angles of the torso, pelvis and limbs.

Blocking in the main forms of any object is the beginning and the foundation of realistic drawing. These simple maps or line drawings help you determine the length, width, depth, and correct relationships of one part to another. One can either trace these guidelines onto a fresh sheet of paper, erase unnecessary work in progress or leave progress lines untouched if it is this style of drawing you seek.

With the foundation in place, from this point forward, you can focus in on the details, refining the contour and examining the shadow patterns that help to illustrate the human form. When drawing the human body, pay close attention to areas of the body where muscle or bone come close to the skin, impacting volume, shape and surface texture.

Other pages of interest

Quick studies
Sketch types
Contour sketches
Drawing the human body
Drawing hidden body parts