Drawing the Human Figure
“Head” Method
The Head
• Draw an Oval for the
head of your figure.
• Measure out how long
the head is.
• Then measure down
8 “heads” for male
figures or 7 ½ “heads
for female.
The Torso
• The shoulders are two “head” lengths wide.
• The chin to the crotch is three “head” lengths
long.
Appendages
• Arms are 3 ¾
“head” lengths
long.
• Legs are 4
“head” lengths
long.
Upper Skeletal
Structure
1. Skull
2. Clavicle or shoulder bone
3. Scapula or shoulder
blade
4. Vertebrae or spinal
column
5. Ribs
6. Sternum or breastbone
7. Radius
8. Ulna
9. Carpus or wrist
10. Meta carpus
Lower Skeletal
Structure
11. Phalanges (14 finger
bones)
12. Pubic bone
13. Coccyx
14. Femur or thighbone
15. Fibula
16. Tibia
17. Tarsus or anklebone
18. Metatarsus
19. Calcaneus
20. Phalanges (14 toe
bones)
Front Musculature
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Trapezius
Deltoid
Pectorals
Obliques
External obliques
Adductors
Vastus muscle group, and the
rectus femoris
Sternomstoid
Triceps
Biceps
Flexor carpi radius
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
Abdominals
Extensor digitorum
Triceps surae
Personeus longus
Back
Musculature
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Trapezius
Deltoid
Rhomboideus muscles
Latissimus dorsi
External obliques
Gluteus maximus
(bottock)
Biceps femoris
Peroneus longus
Triceps
Gluteus medius
Triceps surae (calf)
Male vs. Female
• Men typically have longer torsos than
women.
• Women typically have longer legs than
men.
Poses
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Convincing posture
Poses
Action
Body Language
Avoid
– Poses that obscure
the clothing
– ½ & ¾ body turns
Hands
• Open
• Half-closed
• Gripping
• Closed
Feet
• Front
• Side
• ¾ turned
• Bare, shoed
Faces and Hair
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Eyes
Nose
Mouth
Ears
Age
Facial hair
Fashions
Body Types
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Thin
Average
Muscular
Overweight
Age (Child to Old)
Fashion
Anime
Costume and Fashion
Drawing
Clothing your Figures
Fabric Types
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Metal
Leather
Sheers
Velours
Satins/Silks
Cottons/Linens
Starches
Dynamic Forces
• Direct Thrust Wrinkles
• Wrinkles follow the
flow of action
Bend Wrinkles
• Bend wrinkles go in
the direction of the
bend
• Radial wrinkles (left)
start from the bend
area and radiate
outwards from the
bend
Crossing Wrinkles
• Two tension wrinkles
that meet while
traveling in opposite
directions
Compression Wrinkles
• Sag and collapse
pattern
• Crush force from
gravity that affects the
material such as
leather (as seen to
the left)
Fragmentation Wrinkles
• Past action wrinkles
• Tends to appear in
clothing that molds to
the body of a figure.
Swag and Hanging Wrinkles
• The folds of fabric
that has only gravity
affecting how it
hangs.
• Does not have
anything to do with
energy or action of
figure.
Trap and Closure
Wrinkles
• These are wrinkles
that are cut off or the
view is obstructed
from the observer
Flying Wrinkles
• The affects of air and
gravity on excess
fabric as a result of a
movement.
• The fabric flows in the
direction of the
movement
Passive, Inert, and Lying Wrinkles
• Fabric that has the
appearance of lying
around and has no
action, energy or
gravity affecting it
Wrinkle Patterns, Textures, and
Materials
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S-line curves
Air-driven
Hard-edged, angular
Metallic
Former activity
Cornering
Bibliography
• Drawing the Head & Figure by Jack Hamm
• Anatomy for Fantasy Artists by Glen Fabry
• Dynamic Wrinkles and Drapery by Burne
Hogarth
• How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way by
Stan Lee and John Buscema
• How to Draw Manga by Ben Dunn