Three Drawing Tips: When starting your figure drawing

Starting a new drawing can be very intimidating.  Here are three tips to get you started. 

One: Skip the Details

No details ... at least in the beginning. Details are the fun part, I know. I understand the desire to want to start with them, but save them for later. You need your foundation first. Keep your drawing soft and loose.

Two: Find the Shapes

Step back, LOOK at your subject or photo, and find the overall direction of the figure, and then draw directional lines for a guide.  Next, find your largest shapes. Look for circles, ovals, rectangles, whatever shapes you see in your subject. Progress to smaller shapes from there.

Three: Draw Lightly

Draw with a light line using a soft lead pencil. I usually start with a #2 school type pencil or a softer lead, like a 6B drawing pencil.  You'll sketch many lines in the beginning because you are exploring your subject and getting to know it. Do not expect to put down the exact marks in the beginning. Be kind to yourself and have fun sketching!

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Okay 1) Skip the details, at first. 2) Get the overall angle of your figure and identify the largest shapes you see to the smaller ones. 3) Use a soft pencil, very loosely to explore your subject.

Have fun drawing!

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