Figure Drawing Tips: Practical Mindset for Drawing the Human Body

Before you start drawing figures, here are practical tips that'll save you hours of frustration.

This lesson is part of the Figure Drawing Course - a complete free course teaching you to draw the human body from scratch.

Watch the full lesson: easy tips for how to approach figure drawing using light lines and other ideas.

Use a Vertical Reference Line

Starting a back pose? Draw a light vertical line first.

This becomes your reference for measuring everything else. Hold your pencil vertically, compare it to the spine's angle. How does that curve relate to straight?

The vertical line is your GPS. Everything else is measured against it.

Back Landmarks are Different

Front torso has lots of landmarks: suprasternal notch, xiphoid process, navel, pubic bone.

Back torso has fewer. The spine is your primary landmark.

With any light source, the spine creates a subtle shadow (indentation with flesh mounding on each side). That shadow line IS your center line.

Use it. Measure from it. Everything relates to that spine.

Horizontal for Shoulders

Want to find shoulder angle? Hold your pencil horizontally across the shoulder line.

Don't try to match the angle. Use the horizontal as reference, then see how the shoulder deviates from that straight line.

Straight horizontal = reference. Actual shoulder = the angle you draw.

When arms are raised, you won't see bony landmarks - you'll see creases where deltoid and trapezius connect. Use those creases as your shoulder angle guides.

Start Light, Multiple Lines

Don't commit to one dark line early.

Draw lightly. Make several curved lines in the general area. You're exploring options, not making final decisions.

Which curve works best? Is it here? Here? You decide AFTER you've drawn multiple options lightly.

Then darken your choice. This keeps your drawing clean and gives you flexibility.

Shoot Past Corners

Know there's a corner somewhere in an area? Draw past it.

Extend your lines beyond where you think the corner is. You can always come back and refine, add the rounded corner, adjust.

Don't stop short. Shooting past gives you information about where that corner should actually be.

Pencil Direction Matters

Drawing a line at an angle? Hold your pencil in that direction.

Why? If you hold it perpendicular to the line direction, you get the broad side of the lead = thicker, messier line.

Hold it parallel to the line direction (slightly angled toward the paper) = thinner, cleaner line.

Change direction, rotate your pencil. Always hold it in the direction you're drawing.

Avoid the Tripod Grip

The way you hold a pen for writing? Too tight, too much control, too dark for figure drawing.

Use an underhand grip. Hold the pencil loosely, further back. This gives you:

• Lighter lines
• More gestural freedom
• Better for long flowing curves
• Easier to adjust pressure

You can hold it overhand or underhand - whatever's comfortable. Just avoid the tight writing grip.

These Tips Apply to ALL Figure Drawing

Whether you're drawing backs, fronts, seated poses, dynamic twists - these tips work:

• Light lines first
• Multiple options
• Vertical/horizontal references
• Shoot past corners
• Pencil direction follows line direction
• Loose grip

Master these habits now. They'll serve you forever.

For more general drawing fundamentals (shading, perspective, composition), check out the Complete Drawing Course. This figure course builds on those basics.

Course Navigation

Part of: Figure Drawing Course > Module 1: Foundation

← Previous Lesson: Master's Analysis

Next Lesson → Demo One

Continue Learning

If you enjoyed this hand drawing course, explore even more lessons on our Free Drawing Tutorials & Courses Hub — including the complete How to Draw – Beginner’s Course.

Want new tutorials delivered to your inbox? Subscribe here and get free lessons, tips, and inspiration sent directly to you.