How to Draw People

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Start with the upper body first.

   For the head, sketch a circle, and then add a sharp curve at the bottom of it to form an upside-down egg shape. , You can usually just draw two short, straight lines roughly ears-width apart. , This is a guideline for the figure's collar bone.
   
   It should be about two to three head widths in length. , These will be the shoulders... , These will be the upper arms/biceps. , This can be achieved by drawing a kind of upside-down trapezoid shape for the chest, and two vertical lines for the abdominal trunk.
   
   Beneath that, draw an upside-down triangle for the pelvic area. , To ensure your figure is proportionate, adjust the bicep ovals so that their bottoms are even with the height of the belly button.
   
   Draw a guideline if you need to. , These are your hip joints. , These are the thighs. ,,, These are the feet. ,,,,
2. 2

   Step 2: Draw the neck next.

3. 3

   Step 3: Draw a horizontal line perpendicular to the base of the neck but very lightly.

4. 4

   Step 4: At either end of the collar guideline

5. 5

   Step 5: sketch circles that are slightly smaller than the circle you drew for the head earlier.

6. 6

   Step 6: Draw two ovals slightly longer than the vertical length of the head

7. 7

   Step 7: so that they are attached to the underside of the shoulder circles.

8. 8

   Step 8: Draw the torso at the points where the bicep ovals meet the shoulder circles.

9. 9

   Step 9: About half a head-length above the upside-down triangle

10. 10

    Step 10: draw a very small circle; this is the belly button.

11. 11

    Step 11: Sketch two circles that are slightly larger than your shoulder circles

12. 12

    Step 12: so that they are each halfway inside the pelvic triangle.

13. 13

    Step 13: Draw two long ovals (the same length as the torso) beneath the hip joint circles.

14. 14

    Step 14: Draw two smaller ovals for the knees

15. 15

    Step 15: half-overlapping the bottoms of the thigh ovals.

16. 16

    Step 16: Draw two more ovals beneath the knees for the calves/shins.

17. 17

    Step 17: Sketch two triangles at the bottoms of the calf ovals.

18. 18

    Step 18: Go back up to the biceps and draw two more ovals beneath them for the forearms.

19. 19

    Step 19: Draw two small circles on the ends of the forearms for the hands.

20. 20

    Step 20: Draw a smooth outline

21. 21

    Step 21: add body details

22. 22

    Step 22: and add clothing and accessories.

23. 23

    Step 23: Finished.

Detailed Guide

About the Author