How to Draw a Figure - A Guide

How to Draw a Figure

Painting and drawing may seem easy, but they are actually challenges that test every artist's patience. We all have an area of art that can really trip us up. Some people lose their smile when shading, others when working with watercolors, and some when drawing the human figure. If drawing figures is your weak spot, don't worry. It's a skill you can learn with a little practice and the right approach.

It Helps to Know the Proportions

Even if drawing a figure isn't coming easily to you yet, it's always a good idea to learn the correct body proportions your drawing should follow. The head itself is often used as a unit of measurement. A person's height should be about seven heads. The shoulders are two heads wide, and the legs are four heads long. The arm, from the elbow to the fingertips, should be about two heads high. Always remember, though, that everyone's body is different, so if you're drawing a specific person, these proportions may not be accurate.

Start with a Stick Figure

One of the easiest ways to learn to draw the human figure is to use stick figures. What does that mean? Instead of drawing the entire figure, you first create a kind of skeleton, then build the rest of the body around it. You can follow and practice this simple method in the video:

Now that you know the process and the proportions, all it takes is hours and hours of practice, and your figure will move however you draw it. Good luck, and don’t forget to tag us on social media when you share your creations.

Lea