#055 Drawing People | Changing the Shapes to Draw Any Character
DRAWING REFERENCE: A photograph of a person or use your imagination!
YOU'LL NEED: drawing paper 9x12 inches or copy paper, pencil, eraser
Hi and Welcome!
Did you know that artists can draw many different kinds of people using the same simple shapes? By changing the size, shape, and position of a few basic forms, you can create all kinds of characters and poses.
Today You Will
Learn how to use ovals, trapezoids, rectangles, and triangles to create different types of people. You'll discover how small changes to these shapes can completely change the way a figure looks.
What You'll Discover
1. One Set of Shapes, Many Possibilities
The same basic shapes can be used to draw children, adults, tall people, short people, and many other kinds of figures.
2. Shapes Can Show Movement
By tilting and changing the position of your shapes, you can create figures that look like they are walking, reaching, sitting, or standing.
3. Proportions Change a Figure
Making shapes longer, shorter, wider, or narrower can change the appearance of a person and help create a variety of characters.
Why This Matters
Artists do not need a different drawing method for every person they draw. By understanding a few simple shapes, you can create an endless variety of figures. These shapes give you a foundation for drawing people, adding clothing and details, and telling stories through your artwork.
Enjoy experimenting with shapes and see how many different people you can create!
Happy Drawing!
— Brenda Ellis Abbey
Our Books + Video Core 1, Core 3, and Core 5 for 4th graders -12th, have a unit showing a method of making figures from 17 shapes. With more shapes, your figures can really move! Check out our art books for Preschool through High School ages.
