How to Draw Basic Human Figures: 4 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

  • Categories
  • Hobbies and Crafts
  • Drawing
  • Drawing People

Download Article

Explore this Article

Steps

Steps

Other Sections

Video

Tips and Warnings

Things You'll Need

Related Articles

Author Info

Last Updated: April 12, 2024

Download Article

The human figure has inspired artists to pick up their pencils for thousands of years. Drawing the human form allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the curves and lines that make up male and female bodies. The human form, like any figure, is easy to draw when you break it down into its most basic shapes: ovals, circles, and rectangles. Once you master the basics, you can hone your skills by drawing figures whenever you get a chance.

Steps

Download Article

  1. How to Draw Basic Human Figures: 4 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (4)

    1

    Plan your drawing. Draw some vertical and horizontal lines to plan your drawing. Planning is not so important for the proportion of the drawing. Measure the figure by seeing how many times the head fits in the body height. The average adult human is eight heads tall. But for shorter people maybe 7 or if they are on the taller end maybe 9, but usually no higher than 9.

  2. How to Draw Basic Human Figures: 4 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (5)

    2

    Draw some basic shapes to represent the parts of the body by using a pencil. Circles, rectangles, ovals and triangles can be used.For the varieties of human figures, you can also use different kinds and sizes of circles and ovals, etc. For example, to draw a fat man, you can use a big oval for his body part.To draw a short girl, you can use small and short ovals, rectangles and circles.According to your imagination and creativity, you can alter or use different kinds of shapes to make your drawings funny or strange.

    Advertisem*nt

  3. How to Draw Basic Human Figures: 4 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (6)

    3

    Sketch the outlines lightly using a pencil. This step is important as you need to try to draw your figure in a realistic and lively way.

  4. How to Draw Basic Human Figures: 4 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (7)

    4

    Draw the details of the drawing i.e. clothes, accessories. You can use a pen to finalize your drawing. You can put your desired clothes and colors.

  5. Advertisem*nt

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

  • Question

    Is it the same pattern for drawing every human body?

    How to Draw Basic Human Figures: 4 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (8)

    Community Answer

    No. For females it should have more curves. For males it should be more squared. If you're doing fuller figures, it's the same thing for males and females, just fuller.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 18Helpful 53

  • Question

    My person always ends up looking thin. What do I do?

    How to Draw Basic Human Figures: 4 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (9)

    Community Answer

    You might want to draw references of people of a variety of genders/ethnicities, because then you'll start to notice all the minor differences. Don't just go for people that you personally view as attractive, go for people you wouldn't normally consider drawing.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 14Helpful 36

  • Question

    How do I draw the front base of the girl human being on paper?

    How to Draw Basic Human Figures: 4 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (10)

    Community Answer

    Start with an hourglass shape. From there, draw the base of the head, the arms and the legs and add details.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 14Helpful 28

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

      Advertisem*nt

      Video

      Reader Videos

      Tips

      • Draw lightly as you can. So later when your sketch is correct you can draw over the lighter lines with a darker one.

        Thanks

        Helpful137Not Helpful49

      • It is recommended when starting out to use a reference, either from photos from magazines, newspapers, the internet or if possible a real person.

        Thanks

        Helpful66Not Helpful24

      • Try to focus on each part of the human figure after drawing a rough sketch of it. This may help you to get a better look and enhance it at the same time.

        Thanks

        Helpful35Not Helpful13

      Show More Tips

      Submit a Tip

      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

      Submit

      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Advertisem*nt

      Things You'll Need

      • pencil(2b 4b 6b )
      • eraser
      • pen
      • paper
      • colored pencils

      You Might Also Like

      How toDraw a Human HeadHow to Draw the Human Body in 10 Minutes
      How to Draw a Person's FaceHow toDraw PeopleHow toDraw a Female BodyHow toDraw a Self Portrait2 Easy-to-Follow Methods for Drawing a PersonHow toDraw a ManHow toDraw a KnightHow toDraw a BabyHow toDraw a BoyHow toDraw Adolf HitlerHow toDraw an AstronautHow toDraw a Portrait

      Advertisem*nt

      About This Article

      wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 38 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 498,469 times.

      393 votes - 59%

      Co-authors: 38

      Updated: April 12, 2024

      Views:498,469

      Categories: Drawing People

      In other languages

      Spanish

      • Print
      • Send fan mail to authors

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 498,469 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisem*nt

      How to Draw Basic Human Figures: 4 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)
      Top Articles
      Latest Posts
      Article information

      Author: Roderick King

      Last Updated:

      Views: 5499

      Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

      Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Roderick King

      Birthday: 1997-10-09

      Address: 3782 Madge Knoll, East Dudley, MA 63913

      Phone: +2521695290067

      Job: Customer Sales Coordinator

      Hobby: Gunsmithing, Embroidery, Parkour, Kitesurfing, Rock climbing, Sand art, Beekeeping

      Introduction: My name is Roderick King, I am a cute, splendid, excited, perfect, gentle, funny, vivacious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.