Figure Drawing - Life Drawing Tips and Lessons
Figure drawing is the traditional cornerstone art training. The human body offers every challenge one could require - line and tone, perspective and composition. Parental guidance advised as most of these sites depict nudity. For those under 18 - some of these sites may not be appropriate. If your parent's wouldn't approve, please respect their wishes.
Figure Drawing: The Head and Neck
Drawing the head and neck - anatomical studies and points to observe when drawing the head and neck
Drawing the head and neck - anatomical studies and points to observe when drawing the head and neck
Figure Drawing: Line and Contour
contour drawing as applied to life drawing or figure drawing. Using line to describe the human figure.
contour drawing as applied to life drawing or figure drawing. Using line to describe the human figure.
Figure Drawing: Structure
Figure drawing: drawing the basic structure of the figure. Using a structural drawing approach in life drawing.
Figure drawing: drawing the basic structure of the figure. Using a structural drawing approach in life drawing.
Figure Drawing Gallery
Figure Drawing Gallery - nude figure drawings and life drawings. Parental advisory: frontal nudity. Not suitable for viewers under the age of 18. A gallery of images contributed by Drawsketch forum members
Figure Drawing Gallery - nude figure drawings and life drawings. Parental advisory: frontal nudity. Not suitable for viewers under the age of 18. A gallery of images contributed by Drawsketch forum members
Drawing Noses - How to Draw the Nose
Having trouble drawing noses? Here are some tips to help you get this important part of your portrait drawing up to scratch!
Having trouble drawing noses? Here are some tips to help you get this important part of your portrait drawing up to scratch!
Figure Drawing Exercise - Quick Poses
Find out how to add energy to your figure drawing, loosen up and practice making fast judgements about the figure with super-fast poses and bold blocking in of form.
Find out how to add energy to your figure drawing, loosen up and practice making fast judgements about the figure with super-fast poses and bold blocking in of form.
Figure Drawing - Human Proportions
This three-part tutorial explains traditional proportions of the human body, how to use the thumb-and-pencil method of judging proportions, and how to judge angles in a pose.
This three-part tutorial explains traditional proportions of the human body, how to use the thumb-and-pencil method of judging proportions, and how to judge angles in a pose.
Figure and Portrait Ideas
Here are a load of great tips for developing your skills. Ideas for working in your sketchbook, new things to try in class, ideas to develop into lesson plans, and a major project to try.
Here are a load of great tips for developing your skills. Ideas for working in your sketchbook, new things to try in class, ideas to develop into lesson plans, and a major project to try.
Structure of the Human Head
Discover the classic rules of proportion which govern the human head. Use these principles to construct a simplified head from any angle.
Discover the classic rules of proportion which govern the human head. Use these principles to construct a simplified head from any angle.
Sketching the Head from Life
Learn how to apply the structural principles to sketching a head from life. By keeping proportion and perspective in mind, you can tackle and angle or viewpoint.
Learn how to apply the structural principles to sketching a head from life. By keeping proportion and perspective in mind, you can tackle and angle or viewpoint.
Drawing Hands
Hands can be the most challenging aspect of figure drawing, and their complexity can draw attention to them, whether well drawn or not. Try using a simple approach for a more successful result.
Hands can be the most challenging aspect of figure drawing, and their complexity can draw attention to them, whether well drawn or not. Try using a simple approach for a more successful result.
How to Draw Eyes
Learn how to draw eyes and place them correctly on the head. Being able to handle details like these confidently can really improve your figures.
Learn how to draw eyes and place them correctly on the head. Being able to handle details like these confidently can really improve your figures.
Figure in Charcoal Demonstration
Artgraphica's demonstration of a figure drawing in charcoal uses an interesting powdered charcoal and brush method, and can be downloaded in PDF format for easy printing.
Artgraphica's demonstration of a figure drawing in charcoal uses an interesting powdered charcoal and brush method, and can be downloaded in PDF format for easy printing.
Gesture Tutorial - Stick Figures and Gestural Sketches
A long tutorial acccompanied by animated gifs demonstrating life drawing concepts, beginning with stick figure and gestural drawing. An excellent resource from Rebecca Alzofon.
A long tutorial acccompanied by animated gifs demonstrating life drawing concepts, beginning with stick figure and gestural drawing. An excellent resource from Rebecca Alzofon.
Constructing The Figure
Dan Gheno's lesson on constructing the figure from life covers many key issues in figure drawing.
Dan Gheno's lesson on constructing the figure from life covers many key issues in figure drawing.
Sketching Groups of Figures
Renowned animation artist Glenn Vilppu demonstrates his approach to sketching groups of figures when working 'on location'. Vilppu is a great teacher - browse the site for other articles.
Renowned animation artist Glenn Vilppu demonstrates his approach to sketching groups of figures when working 'on location'. Vilppu is a great teacher - browse the site for other articles.
Virtual Life Model
Haven't got a model? Here is the next best thing. This site features life models photographed in genuine 3-d, complete with stationary light source. Warning - Users must be over 18 years of age.
Haven't got a model? Here is the next best thing. This site features life models photographed in genuine 3-d, complete with stationary light source. Warning - Users must be over 18 years of age.