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Human figures are generally 7.5 to 8 heads tall. Use this as a guide when establishing proportion.

Understanding the underlying skeletal and muscular structure can help create more realistic figure drawings.

Draw the space around the figure to help accurately capture its shape. This is especially useful for complex poses.

Foreshortening is the visual effect that causes an object or distance to appear shorter than it actually is because it is angled toward the viewer.

Start with large, simple shapes to establish the figure's position and proportions before adding details.

Cross contour lines follow the form's curvature and can help define the volume of the figure in your drawings.

Gesture drawing captures basic forms and movement of the figure quickly, often with loose, fluid strokes.

Varying the thickness of your lines can suggest depth, with thicker lines indicating closer objects.

Use a pencil at arm's length to take measurements and angles from the model, transferring them to your drawing.

Understand and apply perspective to make your figure drawings appear three-dimensional and correctly situated within a space.

Use highlights to show raised surfaces and to emphasize the light source, which helps in giving the figure a three-dimensional appearance.

Identify and use skeletal landmarks such as the clavicles, elbows, and knees to guide proper anatomy and proportion in your drawings.

Consider the placement of your figure on the page, the pose's dynamics, and the drawing's overall balance before you begin.

Break down hands and feet into simpler geometric shapes before refining the details and contours.

The treatment of edges—hard, soft, lost, and found—can help to suggest the form and distance of different parts of the figure.

A pose where the figure's weight is on one foot, creating a slight s-curve in the body. This adds dynamism to your figure drawing.

Use shading to create depth and volume in your figure drawings, distinguishing between light and shadow.

Creating realistic skin tones involves understanding the subtle variations and undertones within different shades.

Draw hair by creating volume and flow with contours, rather than by trying to render every strand.

When drawing the face, start with proportionate guidelines for feature placement and then refine to capture likeness.

Creating dynamic poses involves capturing the action, force, and energy of the figure in a believable manner.

Incorporate a range of textures into your figure drawing to enhance realism and give variety to the surfaces rendered.

Observing and drawing the way fabric folds and flows over the figure can add realism and movement to your drawings.