How to Sketch People
Lets use this simplified method. Below are practice worksheets to draw the stick figures using pencil first.
Watch me demo. Then try it!
First draw the head. Make sure it is a little higher than it is wide.
Then leave a gap for the neck( about 1/3 the length of the head)
Then draw the angle of the shoulders.
Then using your draw the dots for the shoulders under the clothes.
Then get a strip of paper and measure the head. Use this paper ruler to work out your sticks and dots.
Do the red dots first then the blue ones. Refer to the top photo for the suggestions for how many heads. (3 from the shoulders to the crotch, 3 from the crotch to the ankle).
Now find the blue dot elbows and wrists. The right side has some foreshortening as he is turned a little so you will need to look at angles and do a bit off guess work. ( 1. 5 heads from shoulder to elbow, 1.5 from elbow to wrist).
Now measure to the ankles.
The distance from the ankles to the bottom of the feet is about 2/3rds of a head. Draw the feet as triangles like below.
The figure should be about 8 heads tall.
This will not feel super creative but it will be fast and easy once you practice a ton of times then we can get to the fun stuff over top with pen.
First draw the head. Make sure it is a little higher than it is wide.
Then leave a gap for the neck( about 1/3 the length of the head)
Then draw the angle of the shoulders.
Then using your draw the dots for the shoulders under the clothes.
Then get a strip of paper and measure the head. Use this paper ruler to work out your sticks and dots.
Do the red dots first then the blue ones. Refer to the top photo for the suggestions for how many heads. (3 from the shoulders to the crotch, 3 from the crotch to the ankle).
Now find the blue dot elbows and wrists. The right side has some foreshortening as he is turned a little so you will need to look at angles and do a bit off guess work. ( 1. 5 heads from shoulder to elbow, 1.5 from elbow to wrist).
Now measure to the ankles.
The distance from the ankles to the bottom of the feet is about 2/3rds of a head. Draw the feet as triangles like below.
The figure should be about 8 heads tall.
This will not feel super creative but it will be fast and easy once you practice a ton of times then we can get to the fun stuff over top with pen.
Nice! Now we are going to draw the figure in on top with a darker pencil or pen when you feel brave. Start by drawing a loose silhouette, drawing the hands as mittens, then add in the small details and wrinkles inside the figure.
Remember we are drawing an impression of our figure right now. It doesn’t need to be super realistic, just in proportion.
Remember we are drawing an impression of our figure right now. It doesn’t need to be super realistic, just in proportion.
That’s it! You did it congratulations! Keep practicing then we will go on to something more complex below.
Ok time to watch some more videos of standing people. Find some pictures or take photos of your friends or family in good light and practice standing figures.
Sitting figures can be a little more difficult. Let’s watch.
Ok, here are some clothing tips and some photos you can practice from.