How to draw full body portraits?

Question

In art we are drawing full body self portraits, but how do you draw someone in an elegant graceful position? Do you have any full body drawings you've done yourself? And how you draw clothes on your model?

Thanks In Advance x

Answer 1

site nude in front of a mirror

Answer 2

Try this site, it worked wonders for me and i can draw anyone and in any position!

http://zindy-zone.dk/html/drawings/tutor...

Answer 3

just draw what you see

Answer 4

Drawing the human form is considered one of the most difficult subjects to master. The body is alive, and capable of being in a multitude of positions...

Measure and check these proportions! Do it before you put any dark lines down on the drawing, so that any errors will be easier to erase. Measure everything! You may be horrified to find that you've made your model dumpy and short-limbed. Don't feel bad if you do this. We all have done it. So, measure, measure, measure. You'll soon get out of the habit of making the figure too short, or the head too big.

Also, if you can't remember the proper arm lengths, just check your own body! For instance, if you ever forget the placement of the elbows, you only have to stand with your arms to your side to find out!

The "heads" should align on most figure drawings this way:

First head length: head!

Second head length: chest line at nipples.

Third head length: waistline, at bellybutton.

Forth head length: groin area.

Fifth head length: a bit above the knee.

Sixth head length: just below knee.

Seventh head length: above ankle (or mid-calf, if the person is 8 heads).

Seven & 3/4 (or eighth) head length: at bottom of feet.

Other measurements that should be noted:

When the arms are at the side, the wrist bone aligns with the groin area.

The elbow aligns with the waistline—around or above the bellybutton.

Shoulder width, side-to-side is about 2 to 2 1/3 heads wide

Goodluck!! and Have Fun!!

Answer 5

draw what you see

it helps to use your other hand- no kidding -try it

also

If you relax and feel your pencil touching the paper as if you are touching  the surface of where your eyes are focused.

Hold the pencil lightly and breathe slowly.

Touch the paper lightly and draw some first strokes

of what appears to you as important areas.

Making gesture drawings for one- three minutes loosens you up and focuses  and lets you understand what you are drawing.

cool

takes some practice.

lots of practice

There are more tips in the books i linked in sources below

Answer 6

well i usually start with a pen and paper. now, looking at the body, i take the pencil, place it onto the paper and move it. i usually try to move the pencil so it makes the same shapes on the paper, as the body part i am drawing. i like to start from the genitals, and spend a great deal of time making sure they are correct.

Answer 7

its so much easier just to take a photo.

Answer 8

Learn the basic body proportions.  This site will help you with that:  http://www.realcolorwheel.com/human.htm

Here are some of my full body portraits . . .

Self-portrait from photo taken by mountain guide:  http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g172/l...

Almost full body portrait from old photo:  http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g172/l...

Seated portrait of my daughter from photo: http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g172/l...

Partial body portrait from photo. . . also my daughter:  http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g172/l...

Freehand watercolor from photo of the kids horsing around:  http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g172/l...

Charcoal sketch from image taken off a message board photo site:  http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g172/l...

Start with a clothed model, and learn to block in the basic shapes before you begin with any details at all.  Check proportions by standing back a distance before you move on to the next step.  

Good luck.  

Answer 9

Google Nude Sketch in images and get an idea of what it's like.

Dry drawing yourself using a large mirror, or get a very good friend to pose.

Keep looking at your subject and measure.  Always watch hands and feet people tend to draw these too small.

Have fun and good luck :)

If you have trouble drawing the figure look at whats around it to measure and get an outline.

Pencil can be restrictive to some so try some chalk on a big piece of paper.

Answer 10

Go to the Library and check out some books on Portrait drawing.

The Librarian can help you find what you need.

Ingrid