Drawing the figure - a foundation illustration skill

Sketching the human figure trains the eye and hand like no other drawing exercise. This is not because it is difficult...

A good illustrator (and any artist) makes sure their basic drawing skills are always up to scratch through constant practice. Well developed drawing skills mean the illustrator can concentrate on other aspects of drawing because the basics become second nature.

Pencil sketch of a retired gentleman with real character to his features in superb lighting – just what an illustrator relishes.

It's one thing to be able to produce a beautifully and accurately 'observed' drawing – a straight represention of what is physically there in front of you. An illustrator needs a well developed eye for other aspects such as mood/atmosphere, imaginative conceptual ideas and style. Most importantly however, well developed top notch basic drawing skills mean two things: an illustrator is adaptable – they can draw just about anything; and secondly: they are able to refer to a large reserve of previous experience when a project requires it such as when visual reference is in short supply for example. Being able to 'invent' a convincing face when time is of the essence gets a job done.

A figure with unusual proportions, a small head, double-checked by the artist.

Figure and portrait drawing (or 'life drawing') are considered the most difficult. Drawing figures/faces is in reality no more difficult than drawing anything else. The reason this myth has become established is because the audience (including the artist themselves) have spent more time looking at other human beings than they have spent looking at anything else. Without realising it, everyone studies the human form more than any other subject, so as a result, everyone can tell instantly when a drawing of a figure/face is not right.

Updated: June 2011