How to Draw Posed Figures: Tips and Techniques for Artists

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 8 min read

Drawing posed figures can be a challenging task for many artists. Yet, with the right techniques, you can create stunning, lifelike sketches of people in various poses. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, this guide will provide practical tips and step-by-step methods to improve your figure drawing skills. So grab your sketchbook, and let's get started!

1. Getting Comfortable with Basic Shapes

Before you can create detailed and realistic posed figures, it's important to understand and feel comfortable with basic shapes. These shapes form the foundation of every figure you draw, and mastering them can significantly improve your skills.

Using Geometric Shapes

Geometric shapes are your best friends when it comes to drawing posed figures. You can simplify complex body parts into shapes like circles, rectangles, and triangles. For example, consider a human torso as a rectangle, or the head as an oval. When you start your sketch, try breaking down the figure into these basic shapes. This technique helps you capture the general structure of the posed figure before adding details.

Practicing Drawing from Life

Drawing from life is one of the best ways to improve your understanding and usage of basic shapes. Whether you're sketching a friend, a family member, or a passerby in the park—this practice can provide a wealth of experience. You'll start noticing how different body parts correspond to different shapes, making it easier to draw posed figures in the future.

Incorporating Variety of Shapes

Remember, not all bodies are the same. Different people have different body types, and these differences should reflect in your drawings. Incorporate a variety of shapes to capture the uniqueness of each posed figure. For instance, use a combination of round and angular shapes to sketch a muscular figure, or elongated shapes for a tall, slender person. This practice will add diversity and realism to your figure drawings.

2. Master the Art of Foreshortening

What is foreshortening? It's a technique used in perspective to create the illusion of an object receding strongly into the distance or background. It's a vital skill when it comes to creating convincing posed figures. Let's dive deeper.

Understanding Perspective

Before you can master foreshortening, you need to understand perspective. Perspective is the way we see objects in three dimensions. In simpler terms, it's the reason why a person looks smaller when they're far away. Understanding perspective allows you to create more realistic posed figures by accurately depicting their size and position in space.

Practicing with Simple Objects

Start practicing foreshortening with simple objects like a pencil or a book. Draw them from different angles and observe how their appearance changes. For example, a pencil looks like a rectangle when viewed from the side, but it appears as a thin line when viewed from the front. This practice will help you apply foreshortening to more complex subjects like posed figures.

Applying Foreshortening to Figure Drawing

Now that you're comfortable with the concept, you can start applying foreshortening to your figure drawings. Remember, body parts closer to the viewer appear larger, while those further away seem smaller. For instance, if you're drawing a person stretching their hand towards the viewer, the hand should be larger than the rest of the body. This technique creates a sense of depth and makes your posed figures look three-dimensional.

3. Get a Grip on Human Anatomy

Now that you've got a handle on foreshortening, it's time to delve into the nitty-gritty of human anatomy. Knowing your way around the human body is a game-changer when drawing posed figures.

Studying Human Musculature

When it comes to drawing posed figures, understanding human musculature will help you add realism to your drawings. You don't need a medical degree, just a basic understanding. Start by learning the major muscle groups and how they shape the body's appearance. Observing people in action—like athletes or dancers—can provide clear examples of muscles in motion.

Drawing Different Body Types

People come in all shapes and sizes. Learning to draw a variety of body types will make your posed figures more diverse and realistic. Practice drawing tall, short, lean, muscular, and curvy figures. This will help you capture the uniqueness of each individual in your artwork. What's the secret to mastering this? Practice, practice, and more practice!

Applying Anatomy to Your Drawings

Now that you've studied human anatomy and practiced with different body types, it's time to apply this knowledge to your posed figures. Pay attention to how the body bends, twists, and stretches in various poses. Notice how muscles contract or relax in response to these movements. By applying these observations, your posed figures will start to look more lifelike and natural.

4. Practice Proportions

Good news! You're halfway through mastering the art of drawing posed figures. Now let's get into the mechanics of proportions. Accurate proportions give your figures a realistic look, regardless of the pose they're in.

Using the 'Head' Method

One popular method artists use to get proportions right is the 'Head' method. This technique uses the size of the character's head as a unit of measurement for the rest of the body. On average, an adult's body is about seven and a half heads tall. This technique is a great starting point for ensuring your posed figures are proportionally accurate.

Applying Proportions to Different Poses

Now, let's see how to apply this 'Head' method to different poses. Remember, as the body moves, the proportions appear to change due to perspective. So, a figure in a leaning pose might have a different look than when standing straight. That doesn't mean proportions change - it's just an illusion of perspective. Keep practicing, and soon, applying proportions to various posed figures will become second nature to you.

Experimenting with Exaggerated Proportions

Once you've mastered the basics of proportions, why not have a little fun? You can create unique and stylized posed figures by exaggerating proportions. Imagine a superhero with an extra broad chest or a cartoon character with a giant head. This is where your creativity can really shine—just remember, understanding the rules is the first step to creatively breaking them.

5. Explore Dynamic Poses

Now that you've got the hang of proportions, it's time to put your posed figures into action. Dynamic poses can make your figures look like they're moving or feeling something, which adds a whole new level of interest to your drawings.

Drawing from Reference Photos

One of the best ways to understand dynamic poses is to use reference photos. Look for images of athletes, dancers, or even animals in motion. Try to capture the energy and movement in your sketches. Remember, your goal isn't to create a perfect replica of the photo, but to understand how the body moves and bends in different poses.

Using Gesture Drawing

Gesture drawing is another excellent technique to capture dynamic poses. This method is all about speed and observation. You quickly sketch the pose, focusing on the overall movement rather than the details. It's like taking a snapshot of a pose. This practice can help you understand the flow and movement of posed figures, and it's a great warm-up exercise too!

Incorporating Action into Your Poses

Now, take what you've learned from reference photos and gesture drawings, and apply it to your posed figures. Try to imagine the story behind each pose. If a figure is running, what are they running from—or towards? This can help you make your posed figures not just look dynamic but feel dynamic too. Remember, every pose tells a story, and you're the author.

6. Learn to Capture Emotion

Creating believable posed figures isn't just about mastering form and movement—it's also about conveying emotion. The way a figure stands or moves can tell us a lot about what they're feeling. Let's explore how you can add emotion to your drawings.

Studying Facial Expressions

Facial expressions are a powerful tool for showing emotion. Spend some time studying different expressions—happy, sad, angry, surprised—and how they affect the rest of the face. Notice how the eyebrows, eyes, and mouth change with each emotion. Then apply these observations to your posed figures. A smile or a frown can change the entire mood of your drawing.

Drawing Body Language

Body language is another key aspect of conveying emotion. The way a figure holds their shoulders, the angle of their head, the position of their arms—all of these can suggest a certain feeling or mood. For example, a figure with crossed arms and a hunched posture might seem defensive or upset. Experiment with different body languages to see how they change the message of your posed figures.

Conveying Emotion through Pose

Finally, remember that the pose itself can express emotion. A figure leaping in the air might look joyful, while a figure curled up on the ground could seem lonely or sad. The more you practice, the easier it will be to infuse your posed figures with emotion and bring them to life.

7. Practice Regularly

Like any other skill, drawing posed figures improves with regular practice. The more you draw, the better you get. Here are some strategies to help you get into a consistent drawing routine.

Setting Daily Drawing Goals

It can be helpful to set daily drawing goals for yourself. This could be anything from drawing for a certain amount of time each day, to sketching a certain number of posed figures. Daily practice can help you improve rapidly and build confidence in your drawing abilities.

Joining Local Drawing Groups in New York City, New York

If you live in or near New York City, consider joining a local drawing group. Drawing with others can provide inspiration, motivation, and helpful feedback. Plus, it's a great way to meet people who share your interest in drawing posed figures.

Participating in Online Challenges

Online drawing challenges can also be a fun way to practice regularly. These challenges often have themes or prompts, which can push you to draw posed figures in ways you might not have thought of on your own. Plus, sharing your work online can be a great way to get feedback and connect with a community of artists.

8. Seek Feedback

Feedback is a valuable tool for any artist, especially when you're trying to improve your ability to draw posed figures. Here are a few ways you can seek out constructive criticism on your work.

Putting your work out there can be intimidating, but it's one of the best ways to learn. You might consider sharing your posed figure drawings on social media or online art communities. You never know, you might catch the eye of an experienced artist who can provide valuable advice and tips.

Joining Art Critique Groups in Los Angeles, California

If you're based in Los Angeles, joining a local art critique group can be an excellent idea. These groups allow artists to gather and give each other feedback on their work. It's a great way to learn from your peers, improve your posed figure drawings, and get involved in your local art community.

Receiving Constructive Criticism

When receiving feedback, remember to take it in stride. Not all criticism is negative—constructive criticism can be a goldmine of information, helping you spot weaknesses you didn't know you had. Embrace it, learn from it, and use it to improve your posed figure drawings. After all, every artist is a work in progress!

If you enjoyed learning about drawing posed figures and want to further develop your skills in creating intricate illustrations, be sure to check out Juliet Schreckinger's workshop, 'Composing Complex Illustrations using Basic Shapes'. In this workshop, you'll learn how to break down complex scenes into simple shapes, making it easier to create visually stunning and well-composed illustrations. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your artistic capabilities!