How to Draw a Simple Human

This model is a commonly used reference by artists to draw the human figure.

Drawing a simple human can seem difficult to anyone who has never rendered a figure. However, artists and illustrators easily render simple human figures using proportion rules. The human figure is typically measured by "head length." The standard proportions used for human drawing consist of eight head lengths, from which all the body parts are measured.

Things You'll Need

• Human figure reference
• Sketch paper
• HB pencil
• Ruler (optional)
• White eraser

Instructions

1. Set your drawing reference up where you can easily see it from your drawing work area. The reference can include a photograph, a model or a statue of a human, but make sure the human figure stands forward and does not have its body turned.

2. Lightly sketch an oval or egg shape for the head of the human near the top of the paper. Measure the head you drew with a ruler, or estimate with your fingers, and very lightly draw seven equally spaced lines underneath the head, and one directly at the top of the head. Lightly number the lines 1-8, 1 at the feet and 8 at the head, to keep track of head lengths.

3. Draw a single vertical line, as if you were drawing a stick figure, under the head that is three heads long. This represents the human spine, and your line should end at line 4.

4. Draw a single horizontal line that measures 1/3 of a head underneath the figure's head, and is two heads wide. This line represents the shoulders.

5. Draw a horizontal line three heads under the figure's head, at the end of the spine line, that measure one and a half heads wide to represent the hips.

6. Draw straight vertical lines for the arms starting at each end of the shoulder line. Place the elbow two heads under the figure's head, and end of the hand three heads under the figure's head.

7. Draw a vertical line for the legs beginning at the ends of the hip line and ending at the eighth line from step 2. Position the knees five heads below the figure's head.

8. Sketch or outline the body of your human reference around the stick figure you just drew, using the stick figure as a guide. Draw limbs, like the shoulders, thighs, upper arms and calves, as elongated ovals to simplify the form. Sketch circles for joints like knees, elbows, wrists and ankles. Save feet and hands for last, rendering them as triangles and gradually begin making them more complex.

9. Outline the figure, then carefully erase your sketched guide lines.

Tips & Warnings

• Sketch a line straight down the center of the face. Position the figure's eyes halfway between the top and bottom of the head, then center each eye within the half of the face. Place the hairline halfway between the top of the head and the eyes. Break the face into two equally spaced lines under the eyes to place the nose and mouth. These proportions will give your figure a symmetrical and realistic face.

• Experiment drawing the figure turned slightly once you have mastered drawing the human figure straight on.

References

• Figure Drawings: How to Draw Proportions
• The Real Color Wheel: Human Proportions
• Aryness: Art Lessons