The human figure is considered by many artists to be the most challenging subject to render in any artistic medium. Figure Drawing For Dummies uses step-by-step instructions coupled with expert tips and advice that helps readers successfully draw this difficult subject.

Introduction 1 Part I: Figure Drawing 101 5 Chapter 1: Welcome to the Joys of Figure Drawing 7 Chapter 2: Gathering the Goods for Figure Drawing 11 Chapter 3: Starting with Figure-Drawing Basics 29 Part II: Off to a Head Start 59 Chapter 4: Getting Inside the Head 61 Chapter 5: Adding Facial Features 89 Chapter 6: Going to the Top with Hair 115 Chapter 7: Presenting Emotions in Facial Features 143 Part III: Building the Body 173 Chapter 8: Examining Figure Proportions and Bone Structure 175 Chapter 9: Starting Simple with Stick Figures and Mannequins 189 Chapter 10: Pumping Up Those Muscles 219 Chapter 11: Drawing Figures in Motion 245 Part IV: Sharpening Your Figure-Drawing Skills 263 Chapter 12: Accessorizing Your Figures 265 Chapter 13: Taking Your Work to the Next Level with Advanced Drawing Techniques 293 Chapter 14: Working with Composition and Perspective 315 Part V: The Part of Tens 347 Chapter 15: Ten Places to Study and Draw the Figure 349 Chapter 16: Ten Ways to Organize, Store, and Present Your Work 353 Index 359

Your hands-on guide to drawing the human figure and bringing it to life Want to draw the human body? This step-by-step guide gives you clear instructions and examples coupled with expert tips that show you how to draw the body in a variety of poses. Whether you're a professional illustrator, an art student, or a hobbyist, you'll find the techniques you need to capture the human form. Get a grip on the basics — drawing exercises show you how to work with lines, curves, shapes, light, shadows, and blending Off to a head start — draw the components of the head, facial features, muscle structure, and hairstyles Build the body — examine bone structure and shape, create stick figures, depict muscles, and draw the body in motion Strike dynamic and casual poses — from running, jumping, and climbing to sitting, stretching, and more Accessorize your figures — draw textures, patterns, and folds, and add basic clothing and shoes Open the book and find: The drawing supplies you need How to set up your studio The differences between drawing adults and children Step-by-step illustrations and examples Tips for forming facial expressions Advanced drawing techniques, including shading How to work with composition and perspective Advice on fixing mistakes Places to present and archive your work