HUMAN FORM
The complex human form can sometimes seem like a huge challenge for the artist. Like any task, it becomes much more manageable if you break it up into ‘bite-size’ chunks instead of trying to ’swallow it whole’. To tackle figure drawing - sometimes called ‘life drawing’ - we will sometimes take an overview looking at aspects of drawing the whole figure, and sometimes look at drawing parts of the body. Over time, practice in all these areas will come together and you’ll find yourself able to tackle any pose with confidence.
Learning to draw a nude model in a life drawing class is obviously the ideal, but if this isn’t possible, don’t despair. You can still learn to draw the figure very well without a model. You’ll find that friends or family may be happy to model wearing close-fitting sportswear, and any drawing problem (observation, foreshortening, proportion) that you find on a nude model can equally be explored drawing arms and legs.
For best results, work consistently, practicing drawing daily. When reading, make notes in your sketchbook to remind you what to work on. When you are ready to move on, come back and takle the next exercise. Remember, you won’t learn to draw by just reading about it! You have to put it into practice.