When it comes to tips for drawing people, I always recommend focusing on observation and capturing what’s right in front of you, rather than relying on what you think a person should look like. It’s all about drawing what you actually see, not the idea of a person. One of the best ways to do this is by keeping your sketches quick and loose. This approach helps capture unique qualities, gestures, and expressions in real-time, giving your drawings a more authentic and dynamic feel.
Key points
- Start with gesture drawing: Focus on capturing the movement and pose of people through quick, loose sketches that emphasize action and flow, rather than getting caught up in details.
- Observe unique features: Instead of drawing an idealized version of people, focus on capturing their distinctive characteristics, gestures, and expressions to create more authentic and engaging sketches.
- Practice consistently: Building a habit of drawing people every day, even for a few minutes, will improve your skills, boost creativity, and help you develop your own drawing style.
10 Tips for drawing people
Drawing people from observation is a great way to improve your skills.
These tips will guide you in capturing gestures, unique features, and everyday scenes with ease. Whether you're practicing quick portraits or sketching in public, these techniques will help you draw people more confidently and authentically.
Let's get started!
Tip 1: Start with Gesture Drawing
A great tip for drawing people is to start with gesture drawing, which helps you capture the movement, pose, and overall flow of the figure.
The idea is to focus on the energy and action of the person you're drawing rather than getting stuck in the details. Gesture drawing is perfect for quick sketches and loosening up before diving into more detailed work.
To begin, set a timer for 30 seconds to 1 minute and sketch as quickly as you can. These short bursts of drawing force you to prioritize the figure's motion and essence, rather than worrying about perfection. It’s all about capturing the pose, whether the person is sitting, walking, or leaning. This is a powerful exercise for improving your ability to sketch quickly and confidently.
Over time, gesture drawing will also help you get better at drawing movement and the overall feel of a scene. It’s the foundation of all figure drawing, helping you nail down the action before refining the rest of the drawing. This technique is key to developing a loose, spontaneous style that brings your sketches to life.
Tip 2: Observe People in Everyday Settings
One of the best tips for drawing people is to observe them in their natural, everyday environments.
Places like coffee shops, parks, or beaches are perfect for finding people going about their day, often unaware that they’re being drawn. The benefit of this is that you get to capture authentic, natural gestures and postures rather than stiff, posed ones.
When you’re drawing people in public spaces, focus on the overall scene first. Notice how people move, sit, and interact with their surroundings. This helps you capture the essence of a person in their environment without getting too caught up in the details early on. Quick observational sketches allow you to stay loose and spontaneous, key elements in capturing the feeling of a scene.
For instance, when drawing at the beach, you might focus on how someone lounges on a towel, or how kids run in and out of the waves. These sketches don’t need to be detailed portraits but should convey the overall energy of the moment. By honing your observation skills in casual settings, you’ll improve your ability to translate real-world scenes into dynamic drawings.
Lastly, keep a small sketchbook with you at all times. You never know when inspiration will strike, and having your materials handy means you can practice drawing from observation whenever the opportunity arises. Whether you're working on outlining in drawing or simply capturing quick figures, every sketch adds to your skillset.
Tip 3: Avoid Drawing “Ideal” People
It’s easy to fall into the trap of drawing what we think a person should look like, rather than what’s actually in front of us.
Our brains often default to idealized versions of people, whether it’s a perfectly proportioned face or a generic figure. But when drawing from life, the beauty lies in the uniqueness of the individual you’re observing. The key is to capture their real essence, quirks, and imperfections.
Focus on drawing exactly what you see, even if it doesn’t seem “perfect.” Maybe the person has a slouch, a crooked smile, or a distinctive hairstyle. These unique characteristics are what make the drawing feel alive. In fact, when you embrace these differences, your sketches become more authentic and interesting. Think of it as drawing for yourself—don’t worry about meeting anyone’s standards, just capture the person as they are.
You can also try experimenting with techniques like non-dominant hand drawing to break away from perfectionism. This method forces you to focus on the essence of the person rather than obsessing over flawless lines. The result may not be perfect, but it will have a raw, genuine quality that draws people in.
By letting go of idealized images, you’ll start to see people as they really are—and that’s where the real magic of drawing from observation happens.
Tip 4: Focus on the Big Shapes First
When drawing people, it’s tempting to dive right into the details—especially if you’re excited about capturing someone’s unique facial features or the folds in their clothing.
But starting with the big shapes first is one of the most essential tips for drawing people. This helps you build a strong foundation and ensures the proportions are correct before you get too deep into the details.
Begin by breaking the figure down into simple, large shapes like ovals, rectangles, and circles. Think of the head as an oval, the torso as a box, and the limbs as cylinders. By focusing on these shapes, you’re setting up the basic structure of the figure, making it easier to add details later on. This approach also helps with proportion in art, ensuring that everything is balanced and accurate before moving forward.
Once you’ve mapped out the big shapes, you can start refining your drawing. Add in smaller details, like the curves of the arms or the tilt of the head. But always remember to keep the process loose and fluid, especially in the early stages. This prevents your drawing from becoming stiff and allows you to adjust the proportions as needed.
This method is also particularly helpful when you’re drawing on the go or working with limited time. By focusing on the larger shapes first, you can quickly capture the overall gesture and structure of the person, even if you don’t have time to get into the finer details. Whether you’re sketching at home or drawing on black paper, this foundational technique will make your drawings stronger and more accurate.
Tip 5: Capture Unique Features
One of the most important tips for drawing people is to focus on capturing their unique features.
When you’re drawing from life, it’s these small, distinct details that make your sketches stand out. Whether it’s the curve of someone’s nose, the way their hair falls, or even how they hold their hands, these characteristics give your drawings a personal touch and make the subject feel real.
Instead of aiming for a generalized, ideal version of a person, try honing in on what makes them different. For instance, if someone has a slightly crooked smile or an interesting hairstyle, emphasize that in your drawing. These are the things that bring personality and life to your work. If you’re familiar with expressive drawing, you know how powerful it can be to focus on features that stand out.
It’s also helpful to look beyond just facial features. Notice how someone holds themselves—are they relaxed or tense? Maybe they slouch or have a specific way of crossing their legs. These subtle physical traits can say a lot about a person and add depth to your sketches. Drawing these unique features gives you a way to tell a story about your subject, turning a simple sketch into something far more engaging.
By focusing on what makes each person unique, your drawings will become more authentic and compelling, making your sketchbook not only a collection of people but a visual diary full of character. Whether you’re working on improving your observational skills or just looking for easy ideas for drawing, capturing those special details is key.
Tip 6: Practice Quick Portraits
Another essential tip for drawing people is to practice quick portraits.
These are fast, timed sketches that allow you to capture the essence of a person's face without getting bogged down in the details. Quick portraits help sharpen your observation skills, improve your speed, and teach you to focus on the key elements that make a face recognizable.
Start by setting a timer for 2-5 minutes, and work on capturing the most important features of the person's face. Focus on the overall shape of the head, the position of the eyes, nose, and mouth, and any standout features that give their face character. This exercise is less about perfection and more about quickly identifying the important shapes and lines that define a person's face. These practice sessions are a great way to improve how you approach proportion in art, helping you avoid common mistakes like misaligned eyes or out-of-proportion facial features.
Quick portraits are also a great warm-up exercise before diving into more detailed work. Whether you’re sketching someone from life or using a reference, the goal is to train your eye to see and capture the most important aspects of the face without getting caught up in unnecessary details. This is especially helpful if you’re working on how to find your style of drawing, as it encourages experimentation and loosens up your hand.
By regularly practicing quick portraits, you'll build confidence in your ability to sketch faces quickly and accurately. Over time, this will help you become more comfortable drawing people in a variety of settings and improve your overall skills in drawing from observation.
Tip 7: Use a Variety of Tools
One of the most useful tips for drawing people is to experiment with different drawing tools.
The tool you use can drastically change the look and feel of your sketches, and each medium brings something unique to the table. By trying out different materials, you can find what works best for capturing the energy and flow of the people you're drawing.
For instance, a ballpoint pen is great for keeping your lines loose and fluid because you can’t erase. This forces you to commit to your strokes and focus on capturing the moment rather than striving for perfection. If you’re interested in learning more about this, check out techniques for drawing with a ballpoint pen. The unpredictability of the pen can actually help you develop a more spontaneous style.
Pencils, on the other hand, give you more control and allow you to work with shading and softer lines. You can also experiment with different types of paper, as this can change how the tools interact with the surface. For instance, rough paper will create more texture, while smoother paper allows for cleaner lines.
Markers or charcoal can also be great for bold, expressive sketches that focus on the overall gesture rather than fine details. Trying out various tools not only helps you find your own personal style but also keeps the drawing process exciting. Every tool you use opens up new possibilities for how you approach drawing people.
Tip 8: Work on Proportions and Anatomy
When it comes to essential tips for drawing people, understanding proportions and basic anatomy is crucial.
While drawing quickly and loosely is important, having a good grasp of human proportions will help your sketches feel more accurate and balanced. The more you practice, the more natural this becomes, allowing you to blend your knowledge of anatomy with a loose, freehand drawing style.
Start by learning the general rules of proportion in the human body. For instance, the average adult is roughly seven to eight heads tall, and the arms should fall around mid-thigh when relaxed. Keeping these basic guidelines in mind helps create a foundation for your sketches, even when working quickly. This is especially helpful when practicing analytical drawing, where understanding how the body is structured enhances your ability to capture it more fluidly.
But don’t get too caught up in the technical side of things. Remember, these guidelines are just that—guidelines. When you're drawing people in real life, everyone is different. The goal is to be aware of these general proportions while allowing yourself the freedom to adjust and tweak based on your observations.
Practicing proportions in art will also help you improve over time, especially when drawing full-body figures or more complex poses. As you continue sketching people, you’ll naturally become better at recognizing how the human body moves and shifts, making it easier to capture realistic and dynamic figures in your drawings.
The more you practice and observe, the better you'll get at balancing loose, quick sketches with an understanding of anatomy and proportions, giving your drawings a solid yet free-flowing feel.
Tip 9: Don’t Get Hung Up on Perfection
One of the most valuable tips for drawing people is to let go of the need for perfection.
It’s easy to get frustrated if your sketches don’t turn out exactly as you envisioned, but the real growth happens when you allow yourself to make mistakes. Drawing from observation is about capturing the moment and improving your skills over time—not creating a flawless piece every time.
When you focus too much on perfection, it can stiffen your drawing and take away the spontaneity that makes quick sketches so engaging. Instead, embrace the imperfections and treat each drawing session as a learning opportunity. This approach encourages you to experiment with different styles and techniques, like messy drawings, which can help loosen up your hand and bring a more expressive quality to your work.
Remember that no one sketch defines your abilities as an artist. Each time you draw, you’re improving, whether the result is perfect or not. If a sketch doesn’t turn out as expected, take it as a chance to reflect on what you can learn from it and move on to the next one. Even the most skilled artists deal with imperfect drawings, but they understand that practice and persistence are key.
By letting go of perfectionism, you’ll find more joy in the process of sketching people and feel freer to take risks and explore new techniques. Over time, this mindset will help you grow as an artist and make your drawings feel more alive and natural.
Tip 10: Draw Every Day
One of the best tips for drawing people, or anything really, is to make it a daily habit.
Consistency is key when it comes to improving your skills, and the more you draw, the more you’ll notice progress. It doesn’t have to be a big time commitment—even just 10 or 15 minutes a day can make a huge difference over time. By drawing people regularly, you’ll start to develop your own style and become more comfortable capturing real-life figures quickly and accurately.
Having a sketchbook on hand at all times allows you to take advantage of unexpected moments of inspiration. Whether you're in a café or riding the subway, there’s always an opportunity to draw someone. By sketching from observation daily, you’ll naturally improve your ability to capture people in various poses, expressions, and environments.
In addition to building your skills, daily drawing helps boost your creativity. By committing to drawing something new every day, whether it's a full portrait or simple daily drawing prompts, you keep your mind engaged and sharp. Over time, this will help you get better at translating what you see into quick, confident sketches.
The habit of daily practice is the ultimate way to refine your drawing techniques and become more comfortable drawing people from life. Even if some sketches don’t come out perfect, the consistency of drawing every day will pay off in the long run.
Final thoughts on drawing people
Drawing people from observation is a skill that takes practice, patience, and a bit of experimentation.
By focusing on quick, loose sketches, you’ll improve your ability to capture real-life gestures, postures, and expressions in the moment. Remember to embrace the imperfections, focus on what makes each person unique, and practice daily to build your confidence.
Whether you’re working on gesture drawings, experimenting with different tools, or honing your understanding of anatomy, these tips for drawing people will help you develop a more authentic and dynamic sketching style!