How to Draw the Back of a Leg

Muscles and fat define the appearance of the back of the leg.

When drawing the back of the leg, carefully observe the anatomy of human body. If you look at the legs of several people, you will find an endless variety of appearance in their forms. From short and stout to long and slender, the back of the leg comes in every size and shape. Despite particular characteristics, every human leg relies on muscle and bone to define its shape. Capturing the muscles and tendons of the leg, in combination with fat, skin tone and other unique characteristics, will result in a well-informed figure study.

Instructions

1. Select a photograph or model to act as a guide for your drawing. Study the particular characteristics of the leg that you wish to draw. Note natural shadows, size and proportion. Observe the height of the calf compared to the height of the thigh and the way that muscles and fat deposits create highlights and shadows.

2. Draw a long vertical line. This line represents the height of the leg and acts as a guide to keep your drawing symmetrical.

3. Draw a small circle just below the center of the line. This shape will act as a guide for the knee.

4. Draw an elongated oval shape below the circle. This shape should stretch to a point just above the bottom of the vertical line.

5. Draw a small teardrop shape at the end of the oval. Make this shape about the same size as the circle. This will act as a guide for the heel.

6. Above the circle draw a large oval that reaches the top of the vertical line. Make this oval longer and wider than the first oval. This shape acts as a foundation for the thigh.

7. Draw a long, arching line down the left side of the top oval, following its shape. Extend this line over the left side and bottom of the circle.

8. Draw a second curving line that follows the right side of the top oval. Curve this line inward slightly above the top of the circle. Arch the line outward to the right, following the right side of the circle. Extend the line just beneath the bottom right of the circle. This completes the outline of the thigh and knee.

9. Draw a long arching line on the left side of the bottom oval. Start this line on the left side of the knee, extending it along the side of the bottom oval to the teardrop shape. Repeat on the right side. This completes the outline of the calf.

10. Draw a line over the teardrop shape, starting near the bottom left side of the calf. Extend this line to the right bottom of the calf. This completes the heel. Extend a small triangular shadow from the heel. Make the tip of the triangle terminate at the heel and the base lie slightly to the right. This represents the foot.

11. Use the geometric shapes of the ovals and circles to guide your shading for the muscles of the leg. Follow around them in soft strokes that mirror their curving lines. Add regions of shadow to the side and bottom of the thigh and the knee. Add a curving shadow to a point about halfway up the calf to form the muscle for this portion of the leg.

Tips & Warnings

• Make several sketches before you begin your final drawing of the leg. This will help you get a feel for the anatomy and proportion of the leg.

References

• Drawing How to Draw: How to Draw Human Legs and Feet Drawing Article; April 2010