3 Ways To Draw People - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Draw People PDF download Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Drawing People in a Scene/Background 2 Drawing People in Action 3 Drawing A Single Person (Male) Other Sections Questions & Answers VideoWATCH NOW Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Co-authored by Renée Plevy

Last Updated: October 15, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Renée Plevy. Renée Plevy is an Internationally Acclaimed Portrait Artist from New York/Palm Beach who has painted The Grand Dames of Palm Beach and various celebrities and community leaders. With over 50 years of experience, Renée specializes in painting realistically in oil and capturing the soul of the person. She has studied under internationally renowned portrait artists John Howard Sanden, David Leffel, Robert Beverly Hale, Clyde Smith, and Leonid Gervits. Renée is featured in over 68 shows and galleries including a one-woman museum show at the Paterson Museum. She has garnered numerous awards including “Artist of the Year” from The Bloomfield Art League and First Prize from the Boca Raton Museum Artist’s Guild. Renée has even painted a portrait of celebrity, Vanilla Ice. She also teaches at the Boca Raton Museum Art School - formerly at SVA in Manhattan. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,752,108 times.

Drawing a person may sound difficult, but it's really a simple process if you approach it systematically. The easiest way to draw people is with the 'Ball-and-Socket' technique, a method in which the artist sketches several conjoined ovals to form the body parts of the human figure and draft the figure's pose. It may seem basic, but many professional illustrators routinely use this technique to make their artwork, and this technique is both versatile and easy to learn.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Drawing People in a Scene/Background

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  1. Step 1 Sketch... 1 Sketch a scene. Don't be too focused on how it looks, but make sure it matches what your people are wearing and style.
  2. Step 2 Sketch the wireframes and positions for your characters (or people). 2 Sketch the wireframes and positions for your characters (or people). Remember that this is not the flesh, but just a kind of skeleton.[1] Don't forget to add ovals to bends. Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Sketch the body shapes needed to help you build the figures' bodies. 3 Sketch the body shapes needed to help you build the figures' bodies.
  4. Step 4 Sketch the details for the faces, clothes, shoes, features, etc. 4 Sketch the details for the faces, clothes, shoes, features, etc. Don't forget to match the weather in your scene! Keep it simple, but not too simple. Changes are made for women and men. Women have larger hips, but thinner torsos and waists. Men have more angular faces and features, while women's are more round.[2] Women also tend to have thinner necks.
    • Make sure that you aren't sketching the people in your drawing at eye level. This looks very unrealistic; instead, try to adjust their head and/or posture a little bit.[3]
  5. Step 5 Refine the sketch using a smaller tipped drawing tool. 5 Refine the sketch using a smaller tipped drawing tool. Smooth out each straight line to be more curved and humane. You don't need a square-bodied person walking around![4] Make sure to add creases or lines coming out from the joints for more depth.
  6. Step 6 Draw the outline over the sketch. 6 Draw the outline over the sketch. You can use a marker, pen or just push harder with the pencil.
  7. Step 7 Erase and remove the sketch marks. 7 Erase and remove the sketch marks.
  8. Step 8 Add color... 8 Add color to the drawing. Sign your name if you wish. Keep true to your shading and scene. Make sure to sign your name on the bottom right and not anywhere else!
    9. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Drawing People in Action

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  1. Step 1 Sketch the wireframes... 1 Sketch the wireframes to create the pose for your people in the scene (sketch different colors to prevent confusion between figures).
  2. Step 2 Sketch the body shapes needed to help you build the figures' bodies. 2 Sketch the body shapes needed to help you build the figures' bodies.
  3. Step 3 Sketch the details for the faces, clothes, features, etc. 3 Sketch the details for the faces, clothes, features, etc.
  4. Step 4 Refine the sketch using a smaller tipped drawing tool. 4 Refine the sketch using a smaller tipped drawing tool.
  5. Step 5 Draw the outline over the sketch. 5 Draw the outline over the sketch.
  6. Step 6 Erase and remove the sketch marks. 6 Erase and remove the sketch marks.
  7. Step 7 Add color to the drawing. 7 Add color to the drawing.
    8. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Drawing A Single Person (Male)

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  1. Step 1 Start with the upper body first. 1 Start with the upper body first. For the head, sketch a circle, and then add a sharp curve at the bottom of it to form an upside-down egg shape.
    • Draw the head so it's slightly turned or angled a bit, as eye-level drawings don't feel realistic.[5]
  2. Step 2 Draw the neck next. 2 Draw the neck next. You can usually just draw two short, straight lines roughly ears-width apart.
  3. Step 3 Draw a horizontal line perpendicular to the base of the neck but very lightly. 3 Draw a horizontal line perpendicular to the base of the neck but very lightly. This is a guideline for the figure's collar bone. It should be about two to three head widths in length.
  4. Step 4 Sketch circles that are slightly smaller than the circle you drew for the head. 4 Sketch circles that are slightly smaller than the circle you drew for the head. The circle should be at either end of the collar guideline. These will be the shoulders.
  5. Step 5 Draw two ovals slightly longer than the vertical length of the head. 5 Draw two ovals slightly longer than the vertical length of the head. Ensure that they are attached to the underside of the shoulder circles. These will be the upper arms/biceps.
  6. Step 6 Draw the torso at the points where the bicep ovals meet the shoulder circles. 6 Draw the torso at the points where the bicep ovals meet the shoulder circles. This can be achieved by drawing a kind of upside-down trapezoid shape for the chest, and two vertical lines for the abdominal trunk. Beneath that, draw an upside-down triangle for the pelvic area.
  7. Step 7 Draw a very small circle about half a head-length above the upside-down triangle. 7 Draw a very small circle about half a head-length above the upside-down triangle. This is the belly button. To ensure your figure is proportionate, adjust the bicep ovals so that their bottoms are even with the height of the belly button. Draw a guideline if you need to.
  8. Step 8 Sketch two circles that are slightly larger than your shoulder circles. 8 Sketch two circles that are slightly larger than your shoulder circles. They should each be halfway inside the pelvic triangle. These are your hip joints.
  9. Step 9 Draw two long ovals (the same length as the torso) beneath the hip joint circles. 9 Draw two long ovals (the same length as the torso) beneath the hip joint circles. These are the thighs.
  10. Step 10 Draw two smaller ovals for the knees, half-overlapping the bottoms of the thigh ovals. 10 Draw two smaller ovals for the knees, half-overlapping the bottoms of the thigh ovals.
  11. Step 11 Draw two more ovals beneath the knees for the calves/shins. 11 Draw two more ovals beneath the knees for the calves/shins.
  12. Step 12 Sketch two triangles at the bottoms of the calf ovals. 12 Sketch two triangles at the bottoms of the calf ovals. These are the feet.
  13. Step 13 Go back up to the biceps and draw two more ovals beneath them for the forearms. 13 Go back up to the biceps and draw two more ovals beneath them for the forearms.
  14. Step 14 Draw two small circles on the ends of the forearms for the hands. 14 Draw two small circles on the ends of the forearms for the hands.
  15. Step 15 Draw a smooth outline, add body details, and add clothing and accessories. 15 Draw a smooth outline, add body details, and add clothing and accessories.
  16. Step 16 Finished. 16 Finished.
    17. Advertisement

Community Q&A

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  • Question Should I use a pen or a pencil to draw people? Community Answer Community Answer Use pencil for the wire frame and the details so that you can erase as necessary, then go over the details and outline with something more refined and not eraseable so that when you erase the wire frame you only erase the wire frame and not the actual details. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 116 Helpful 441
  • Question What does it mean to "refine the drawing"? Community Answer Community Answer Refining (in art terms) means to "clean up" the sketchy mess underneath what's going to be the proper piece. This usually involves erasing sketches, darkening outlines, etc. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 105 Helpful 351
  • Question How do I know when to make a creases on the clothes? Community Answer Community Answer Study photos of people in various poses, and note where the crease are. In general, they appear at the joins: ankles, wrists, knees, and elbows. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 138 Helpful 375
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Video

Reader Videos

Tips

  • It can help to work with an art teacher as you learn how to draw faces and people. A teacher can help you develop more of an artist's eye.[6] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Get in the habit of sketching lightly. This will make your eraser marks less obvious, as well as put less strain on your hands. You can always go back and darken your lines later, once you're satisfied that you've sketched out what you want. Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 3
  • Don't rush things, but be prolific.. Practice makes perfect! Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1
Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • Reframe the setbacks you experience during the learning process as a positive; it's room for you to grow. Your artistic skills will improve with consistent, regular practice over time.
  • Lightly sketch basic shapes like circles or squares first when proportioning figures. Clean lines can then be drawn over these foundation forms.
  • Tracing finished line work onto fresh paper will keep drawings crisp with clean outlines instead of being smudged from erasing work underneath.
  • Observe live people in various poses rather than stylized images. Drawing from real life will better train the eye for anatomy and dimension.
  • Loosen up with freeform doodling when you're feeling creatively blocked before starting serious drawing. Spontaneous play sparks inspiration.
  • Break complex compositions into multiple sessions, periodically stepping back with fresh eyes. This allows new ideas to percolate.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Don't feel like you have to draw it exactly like the drawing. Get messy, and make mistakes, that's how you learn! Thanks Helpful 34 Not Helpful 2
  • You may find yourself getting frustrated. If this is the case, take a break and come back to your drawing later. Thanks Helpful 24 Not Helpful 4
  • Don't be disappointed if you don't believe that your drawings are good. Not everyone has the talent to be able to draw, but you will get better with practice. Thanks Helpful 27 Not Helpful 6
  • Some people may find nude figures or adult subject matter offensive. As an artist, you have the basic freedom to draw whatever you want, but be mindful of whom you are drawing, and where. Thanks Helpful 23 Not Helpful 5
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Things You'll Need

  • Pencil or pen
  • Eraser
  • Paper
  • Coloring materials such as crayons or colored pencils (optional)

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References

  1. ↑ https://courses.cs.washington.edu/courses/cse464a/16su/assignments/assignment_1/
  2. ↑ https://courses.cs.washington.edu/courses/cse464a/16su/assignments/assignment_1/
  3. ↑ Renée Plevy. Portrait Artist & Educator. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://courses.cs.washington.edu/courses/cse464a/16su/assignments/assignment_1/
  5. ↑ Renée Plevy. Portrait Artist & Educator. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ Renée Plevy. Portrait Artist & Educator. Expert Interview

About This Article

Renée Plevy Co-authored by: Renée Plevy Portrait Artist & Educator This article was co-authored by Renée Plevy. Renée Plevy is an Internationally Acclaimed Portrait Artist from New York/Palm Beach who has painted The Grand Dames of Palm Beach and various celebrities and community leaders. With over 50 years of experience, Renée specializes in painting realistically in oil and capturing the soul of the person. She has studied under internationally renowned portrait artists John Howard Sanden, David Leffel, Robert Beverly Hale, Clyde Smith, and Leonid Gervits. Renée is featured in over 68 shows and galleries including a one-woman museum show at the Paterson Museum. She has garnered numerous awards including “Artist of the Year” from The Bloomfield Art League and First Prize from the Boca Raton Museum Artist’s Guild. Renée has even painted a portrait of celebrity, Vanilla Ice. She also teaches at the Boca Raton Museum Art School - formerly at SVA in Manhattan. This article has been viewed 1,752,108 times. 51 votes - 66% Co-authors: 131 Updated: October 15, 2025 Views: 1,752,108 Categories: Drawing People | Drawing In other languages Spanish French Portuguese Italian German Russian Chinese Indonesian Arabic Thai Dutch Korean Turkish Vietnamese Japanese
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Renée Plevy Co-authored by: Renée Plevy Portrait Artist & Educator 51 votes - 66% Click a star to vote 66% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 131 Updated: October 15, 2025 Views: 1,752,108 Anonymous

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"I was just looking around for how to start an art video and found this. It didn't really help me with what I..." more Anonymous

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"After reading the article, like any other person, I tried it myself. I couldn't draw it exactly how the..." more Ana S.

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"I wanted to learn how to draw people, so I went to wikiHow and clicked on this article. The pictures helped me..." more Syed Aziz

Syed Aziz

Oct 25, 2016

"It was very helpful for a project of mine.But I ask that this needs to show more about drawing the body, clothing..." more Rose B.

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"I used to not be able to draw a stick figure, but with the ball and socket technique, I am getting praise for my..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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