10 Practical Tips for Drawing Realistic People

Published on 21 June 2023 9 min read

10. Keep Learning and Improving

Creating realistic drawings of people can be a rewarding and enjoyable hobby. With practice and the right techniques, anyone can improve their skills and create beautiful artwork. In this blog, we will discuss 10 practical tips to help you enhance your ability to make drawings of people that capture the essence of your subjects. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned artist, these tips will provide valuable insights to elevate your craft.

1. Observe and Study

Observation is the foundation of creating realistic drawings of people. To develop your skills, it's essential to pay close attention to the world around you:

Study people in various settings: Observe how people move, their posture, and the way they interact with their environment. This can help you capture the essence of your subjects.
Focus on facial features: Take note of different shapes and sizes of eyes, noses, and mouths. This will help you create more diverse and realistic drawings of people.
Pay attention to details: Notice the small things like wrinkles, freckles, and dimples. These unique characteristics can bring your drawings to life.

By actively observing and studying people, you'll gain a deeper understanding of human anatomy and expressions, which will prove invaluable when creating your own artwork.

2. Practice Proportions

Getting proportions right is crucial for achieving realistic drawings of people. To improve your understanding of human proportions, consider the following tips:

Learn the basics: Familiarize yourself with common rules, such as the head being roughly one-eighth of the total body height. Remember that these rules can vary among individuals, so use them as a starting point.
Measure and compare: When drawing from a reference image, measure the distances between different parts of the body. This can help you maintain accurate proportions in your drawings.
Use guidelines: Lightly sketch horizontal and vertical lines to divide the face and body into sections. This will help you place features and limbs accurately.
Check your work: Periodically step back and assess your drawing. Look for any inconsistencies in proportions and make adjustments as needed.

With practice, you'll develop an instinct for proper proportions, making your drawings of people more believable and lifelike.

3. Master Anatomy

Understanding human anatomy is a key aspect of creating realistic drawings of people. To develop a deeper knowledge of anatomy, consider these tips:

Study the human body: Learn about the skeletal structure and major muscle groups. Knowing the underlying structure of the body helps you create more accurate drawings.
Draw from life: Attend life-drawing classes or draw people you see around you. Drawing from life helps you observe and understand the human body better.
Simplify shapes: Break down complex body parts into simple shapes, like cylinders or cubes. This can make it easier to draw and understand the 3D form of the body.
Focus on joints: Pay close attention to how joints like the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees work. This will help you draw more natural-looking poses and movement.

As you continue to study and practice anatomy, you'll notice a significant improvement in the realism of your drawings of people.

4. Use Reference Images

Reference images are incredibly useful when it comes to drawing realistic people. They allow you to study details and capture the essence of your subject more accurately. Here are some tips on using reference images effectively:

Choose high-quality images: Look for clear, well-lit photos that showcase features, expressions, and clothing texture. This will help you create more detailed and accurate drawings of people.
Use multiple references: Don't limit yourself to just one image. Compile a collection of references to study different perspectives, poses, and lighting conditions.
Observe and analyze: Take the time to closely examine your reference images. Notice the subtle nuances in facial features, body shapes, and clothing folds.
Don't rely solely on references: While reference images are great for studying details, remember to also practice drawing from life and memory. This will help you develop a well-rounded skill set for creating realistic drawings of people.

By incorporating reference images into your drawing routine, you'll be better equipped to capture the unique characteristics and intricate details of your subjects.

5. Capture Expressions

One of the most important aspects of drawing realistic people is capturing their expressions. The human face is incredibly expressive, and being able to convey emotions accurately will bring your drawings to life. Here are some tips to help you master facial expressions:

Study facial muscles: Understanding the underlying structure of the face is vital for capturing expressions. Pay attention to how different muscles move and interact to create various emotions.
Focus on the eyes: Eyes are often said to be the windows to the soul—and for good reason. The eyes play a crucial role in conveying emotion, so make sure to spend time perfecting their shape, size, and placement in your drawings of people.
Don't forget the brows and mouth: The eyebrows and mouth also play a significant role in expressing emotions. Observe how these features change with different expressions and practice capturing these subtle shifts.
Use references and practice: As with any other aspect of drawing, practice makes perfect. Use reference images and real-life observation to study expressions and apply what you've learned to your drawings of people.

By focusing on capturing expressions accurately, your drawings of people will become more lifelike and engaging, allowing you to better convey your subject's emotions and personality.

6. Work on Shading

Shading is a key technique that can greatly enhance the realism of your drawings of people. It helps to create depth and dimension, making your subjects appear more lifelike. Here are some practical tips for improving your shading skills:

Understand light and shadow: To shade effectively, you need to know how light interacts with objects. Observe how light falls on different surfaces and shapes, and take note of where shadows are cast.
Start with simple shapes: Before jumping into complex drawings of people, practice shading on basic shapes like spheres, cubes, and cylinders. This will help you develop a better understanding of how to apply shading to more intricate subjects.
Use a range of pencils: Different pencil grades can help you achieve various shading effects. For instance, softer pencils (e.g., 2B or 4B) are better for darker shadows, while harder pencils (e.g., H or 2H) work well for lighter shading.
Experiment with shading techniques: There are several shading techniques you can use, such as hatching, cross-hatching, and stippling. Try them all out to see which one works best for your drawings of people.
Blend and smooth: For a more realistic look, use blending tools like a blending stump, tissue, or your finger to smooth out your shading. This helps to create a seamless transition between light and shadow.

By focusing on improving your shading skills, you'll add depth and dimension to your drawings of people, making them appear more lifelike and visually appealing.

7. Focus on Textures

Textures can make a significant difference in the realism of your drawings of people. Paying attention to the various textures found in clothing, hair, and skin will help you create more lifelike art. Here are some tips to help you focus on textures:

Study real-life textures: Observe the textures around you, such as the fabric of your clothes, the surface of your skin, or the strands of your hair. Notice the subtle variations and patterns that make each texture unique.
Practice with different materials: Experiment with different drawing tools and surfaces to see how they affect the appearance of textures. For instance, try using charcoal, pastels, or ink to create different effects on paper or canvas.
Use reference images: Collect reference images of various textures to help you understand how they look and how to recreate them in your drawings of people. You can find such images in books, magazines, or online.
Experiment with techniques: There are many techniques you can use to create texture in your drawings, such as stippling, hatching, or scumbling. Practice these methods to find the ones that work best for the textures you want to portray.
Be patient and take your time: Creating realistic textures can be time-consuming, but the effort is worth it. As you become more skilled at rendering textures, you'll find that your drawings of people become more lifelike and visually engaging.

By focusing on textures and practicing different techniques, you'll be able to enhance the realism of your drawings of people and create art that truly captures the essence of your subjects.

8. Experiment with Styles

Experimenting with various art styles can help you find your unique approach to creating drawings of people. By stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring new techniques, you can develop your skills and make your artwork more interesting. Here are some tips to help you experiment with styles:

Research different art styles: Learn about various art styles and movements, such as realism, impressionism, or comic art. Study the works of famous artists to understand how they approached their drawings of people and the techniques they used.
Incorporate elements from other styles: Once you've learned about different art styles, try incorporating elements from them into your work. For example, you could use bold colors and expressive brushstrokes from impressionism in your drawings of people.
Try new drawing techniques: Experiment with different drawing techniques to find the ones that best suit your style and preferences. For example, try using a loose, gestural approach for capturing the energy and movement of a person, or use precise, detailed lines for a more refined look.
Combine styles: Don't be afraid to mix and match different art styles in your drawings of people. Combining elements from various styles can result in unique and engaging artwork.
Develop your own style: As you experiment with different styles and techniques, you'll start to develop your own unique approach to drawing people. Embrace your personal style and continue to refine it as you grow as an artist.

Remember, there's no right or wrong way to create art. By experimenting with different styles and techniques, you'll be able to find your unique voice, making your drawings of people stand out and truly reflect your artistic vision.

9. Practice Perspective

Mastering perspective is essential for creating realistic drawings of people. Perspective helps you understand how objects and figures appear in a three-dimensional space, giving your artwork depth and dimension. Here are some tips to help you practice and improve your perspective drawing skills:

Learn the basics: Familiarize yourself with the fundamental concepts of perspective, such as vanishing points, horizon lines, and foreshortening. These concepts will help you understand how to accurately represent people in your drawings.
Study one-point and two-point perspective: One-point perspective uses a single vanishing point, while two-point perspective uses two vanishing points. Both techniques are useful for drawing people in different environments and settings.
Draw from life: Practice drawing people from different angles and viewpoints to improve your understanding of perspective. Observe how the human figure changes in appearance when viewed from various perspectives, and apply this knowledge to your drawings.
Use reference images: If you're unable to draw from life, use reference images to study perspective. Look for images that show people from different angles and viewpoints, and try to recreate these scenes in your drawings.
Experiment with different tools: Try using different drawing tools, such as rulers or perspective grids, to help you create accurate drawings of people. These tools can assist you in maintaining proper perspective throughout your artwork.

By practicing perspective regularly, you'll become more skilled at creating realistic drawings of people that accurately depict the three-dimensional world. Keep in mind that mastering perspective takes time and patience, so don't get discouraged if it doesn't come naturally at first. With consistent practice, you'll see improvement in your artwork and gain a deeper understanding of how to represent people in various environments and situations.

10. Keep Learning and Improving

Improving your skills in creating drawings of people is a never-ending journey. To continue growing as an artist and produce increasingly realistic drawings, it's important to keep learning and challenging yourself. Here are some strategies to help you stay motivated and inspired:

Set goals: Establish specific, measurable, and attainable goals for your drawing progress. These goals can be short-term, like learning a new technique, or long-term, such as completing a series of drawings featuring people in various settings.
Seek feedback: Share your drawings with friends, family, or fellow artists, and ask for their input. Constructive criticism can help you identify areas for improvement and generate new ideas for your artwork.
Learn from others: Study the work of other artists who specialize in drawings of people. Analyze their techniques, styles, and approaches, and try to incorporate elements of their work into your own practice.
Experiment with materials and techniques: Don't be afraid to try new drawing tools, materials, or methods. Exploring different approaches can lead to exciting discoveries and help you develop your unique artistic style.
Stay curious: Keep an open mind and maintain a sense of curiosity about the world around you. This attitude will help you find inspiration for your drawings of people and encourage you to push the boundaries of your artistic abilities.

By dedicating yourself to continuous learning and improvement, you'll not only become a better artist but also develop a deeper appreciation for the art of drawing people. Remember that progress takes time, so be patient with yourself and enjoy the journey of refining your skills and discovering new techniques. With dedication and practice, you'll soon be creating realistic, captivating drawings of people that reflect your unique artistic vision.

If you've enjoyed learning about the process of creating a masterpiece, don't miss the workshop 'A Drawing for a Painting' by David Shepherd. In this workshop, you'll gain valuable insights and techniques for transforming your drawings into stunning paintings. Dive in and take your art skills to new heights!