How to Draw the Body : Basics
By Kelly | June 18, 2007
This tutorial doesn’t go in-depth into anatomy – you’ll have to study that on your own. But I hope you’ll learn a thing or two from seeing how I approach drawing a figure from imagination.
1. Structuring the Figure
Here’s an example of a quick and easy way to block out a pose. Nothing fancy, just a simple stick-figure ‘armature’ made of simple shapes. With just a few lines, I’ve plotted out the basic pose and proportions of the figure. Note that the tail is sketched in as well, and it forms a natural extension of the spine. I sketch in a crosshair on the head, just to plan where the eyes will be on the face.
I added these festive lines to give you a hint what I’m thinking as I sketch this out. The red line, which falls from the hollow of the collarbone at the neck’s base, all the way down to the level of the feet, is the figure’s center of weight. It doesn’t have much bearing on the figure drawing itself, but you can use it to judge if your figure’s in a stable standing pose. For action poses, don’t worrry about it- but remember than the point on the collar leads the pose, more often than the head.
The happy green swoosh indicates the angle of the feet. Most beginners draw the feet as perfectly parallel, or perpendicular, to each other. Instead, the feet are usually at an angle closer to 45 degrees, nearer at the heel with the toes angled out.
2. Block in the Forms
When I settle on a stick-figure pose, I start drawing the 3D forms on top of it. This is a good point to double-check with a mirror (or digitally, horizantal flip) to see how your sketch is shaping up from a fresh perspective, and correct any weirdness in the rough drawing. I flesh out all the forms before adding details like fur and clothing. For more detailed instructions on specific parts, check out Drawing Anthro Heads, How to Draw Eyes, and How to Draw Hands.
3. Clean-up and Details
My final task is simply to draw on top of my rough sketch, finalizing all the details without stressing over the pose and anatomy. Planning your drawing and analyzing it at every stage will usually have the best result. If you’re drawing with pencil, use a pen or brush to ink over your sketch, and rub out the loose lines with an eraser. Digitally, if you sketch in blue it’s a simple task to drop the colors, leaving only the black lines on top (see this tutorial for a demo).
Don’t be afraid to sketch lots of loose and messy poses before you get it right.
Good luck and happy drawing! 
Topics: Drawing tutorials | 150 Comments »
150 Responses to “How to Draw the Body : Basics”
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August 25th, 2010 at 5:07 am
I found out about this type of art…and i liked it^^.
Seriously though the only trouble i have are the hands and the mouth of the dog/wolf.
But the rest I’m doing great thanks to this website.
August 24th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Hi :D Thanks for this how-to, it helped lots, I’m not good yet, but this has definitely helped me xD
I must ask; could you make a how-to for reptilian furries?
[not so furry...xD]
August 12th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Wow great tutorial!! I think I did ok but the tutorial really helped me thanks!:D
August 12th, 2010 at 1:59 am
Heya. I’m having such a difficult time drawing furries, even a character I’m so familiar with like my own. I’ve been trying so hard for years but I just can’t seem to get anything down right on paper, despite how vividly I can imagine it. I’m getting so darned frustrated, it seems no tutorial or teacher in the world can help me, despite how many I’ve gone through in the years I’ve been trying this. I’m beginning to think drawing just isn’t for me, but at the same time it’s the only skill I wish I had.
Any suggestions for someone getting so frustrated to the point of breaking pencils after literal years of practice and no improvement?
July 29th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Hey :D I love your drawings and helpful how-to’s. They are very inspiring and I could only dream of drawing like you.
July 25th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
I think i’m doing great on the body, but just like Jacob said, i can’t make the head but i just have to keep trying
July 15th, 2010 at 8:56 am
my first artpiece is finished (not perfect but i’m still learning ^^)
thanks to this tutorial it’s really amazing
July 8th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Damn, I still can’t do it! I can do the body, just not the head, I guess I’ll have to keep trying.
June 5th, 2010 at 5:07 am
i always have problems with making my female legs too manly. maybe because my own female legs are a big large and muscular looking. uhh heh
June 5th, 2010 at 4:51 am
Hello! I always drew more anime than furry so now i see how i was doing it all wrong. all my characters look like sonic ahaha.but im doing better now thanks. nyuu