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How to Draw People Using Armatures
Use this Sculpting Technique to Sketch Realistic Humans
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Careers for Art, Music, and Dance Jan 10, 2010 Alina Bradford
Therapists
Leonardo da Vinci Anatomy to
Robots There are several methods for drawing bodies properly.
One of the easiest ways is by drawing an armature to use
Make 3D from Photos with Archipelis
as a guide.
Designer
Drawing Human Proportions
Sketching Ideas for New Artists
Most artists know armatures as wire devices used to support sculptures, but this
The Croquis Template for Fashion concept can also be used for drawing people. In drawing, the armature is basically
Illustrators the skeleton of the person and will guide the artist through their drawing by
providing proper proportions for each body part.
more in painting/drawing
How to Draw People, Step 1: Finding a Reference
Related Topics The first step to drawing humans is to find a good reference. This can be a
reference photo, book or a live human being. If the reference is a human, the artist
should make sure that the model is willing to sit still for a prolonged amount of
Drawing
time.
Illustration
Landscape Painting How to Draw People, Step 2: Building the Armature
Portrait Painting
Next, the armature needs to be drawn.
Still Life Painting
Take a look at the second illustration at the bottom of this article (click on the
Reference illustration to enlarge it). This is a basic armature and here is how to draw one:
1. The head is drawn as a basic circle or oval. There’s no need to get any
how to draw people more detailed than this during the armature stage.
2. A line is drawn from the base of the circle to the bottom of the spine. This
armature
line may be curved, depending on the pose of the model or reference. For
draw realistic humans example, if the model was bending over, this line would be more of a C
realistic humans shape.
drawing the body 3. The spine line is crossed like a “t” to create the shoulder line. This line is
usually as long as two head widths. In other words, if the artist measures
draw
the width of the head, the shoulder length would be that measurement
multiplied by two.
4. A circle is drawn on the end of each shoulder to represent the shoulder
joints and the upper arm lines are drawn from these circles. This line is
usually around one head length long. So, if the artist measured the head ’s
length, this line would be about that same length as the head.
5. Another circle is drawn for the elbow joint and the lower arm line is drawn.
This line is also about as long as a head length.
6. The wrist joint is drawn with a circle and the hand is drawn with a line that
is as long as the human ’s face.
7. At the bottom of the spine, a circle is drawn to indicate the attachment of the
spine to the pelvic area. A line is drawn across the center of this circle to
represent the pelvic bone. This line is usually two head widths long for
women and one and a half head widths for men. At each end of this line
there is circles drawn for hip joints.
8. From the hip joints, the thigh bone line is drawn, which is usually around
two head lengths long. It is connected to the calf with a circle for the knee
joint. The calf bone is usually a little longer than one head length.
9. The armature is finished by adding a circle for the ankle joint and a line to
indicate the direction of the foot.
For more on proportions see: Drawing Human Proportions.
How to Draw People, Step 3: Drawing the Body
Now that the armature is done, drawing the rest of the body is easy. The artist
simply has to draw “flesh” onto the skeleton.
Since all of the measuring and the basic stance of the body are already done, the
artist can draw the threedimensional aspects of the body.
To make it easier, an artist can think of the flesh as lines that are traced around the
Now that the armature is done, drawing the rest of the body is easy. The artist
simply has to draw “flesh” onto the skeleton.
Since all of the measuring and the basic stance of the body are already done, the
artist can draw the threedimensional aspects of the body.
To make it easier, an artist can think of the flesh as lines that are traced around the
armature lines. These lines become threedimensional once the armature lines
are erased and are replaced by shading to create curves and form.
With a little practice, this technique can be used to draw realistic humans quickly
and easily.
The copyright of the article How to Draw People Using Armatures in
Painting/Drawing is owned by Alina Bradford. Permission to republish How to
Draw People Using Armatures in print or online must be granted by the author
in writing.
Drawing a Human Basic Armature Armature with
with an Armature For Drawing Flesh Added
Realistic Humans
The Finished
Drawing of the
Human Body
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Guest : Feb 10, 2010 5:45 PM
Simple and informative. Thank you.
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