Tips For Drawing Better Human Figures In Pencil

By Deborah Brooks


One of the more impressive ways to convey just how beautiful the intricacies of one's mind is, is through the free creation of art. Each person has a style that is uniquely theirs but those who take honing their abilities seriously may consider in depth study of various techniques. When attempting to draw human figures in pencil, these general guidelines can help a lot.

Some of the most important factors to sketching a good humanoid form are little details like limb proportion, the torso's size, positioning of the shoulders, neck length and thickness, and head shape. Getting each aspect correct and bringing them together effectively can be challenging because the body is very complexly designed. Skills can be infinitely improved by learning and practicing tips and guidelines.

Getting an instructional book on drawing anatomical forms may be a good idea before one starts practicing on paper. By first learning to see the different sections of the body as geometric shapes, it can be helpful in gaining some understanding of the basic design. This can be especially beneficial to beginners with no practical experience.

One must first decide if they are going to put their subject in a partial page composition, or if they are planning to use the full area. This also helps determine how to effectively use positive space and how to turn the paper. If drawing the body in an upright pose, it is usually better to go with a portrait orientation, but those who are set horizontally would typically do better with landscape.

Any artwork that involves humanoid subjects can become less appealing when the proportions are unrealistic. This alone is reason enough for one to study the ratio of one body section to another so that there is a deeper understanding of how they come together to form proper anatomy. A wooden artist's mannequin or tutorial handbook can be incredible references as they can help avoid drawing the form disproportionately.

Symmetry is an important aspect when drawing male or female forms. In the ideal sense, the body is the same on the right as it is on the left, giving it perfect balance in shape and size. When building up the details, keep in mind that men tend to be more angular, having wider chests and shoulders and bulkier calves and thighs, while women are generally softly curved.

When it comes to the matter of sketching, shading plays a very important role. Whether using live models or wooden ones as guidance, a person should consider the source of lighting. This means keeping the areas which are directly exposed to the illumination source light while using darker tones to indicate the parts that would be laying in shadow zones.

Following these general guidelines may help an artist to be better at creating both male and female subjects. Putting the effort into studying and practicing the techniques will yield noticeable improvement in skill and ability over time. One can find so much joy in having the freedom to use art as a means of expression.




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