How to Draw Realistic People

Two Methods:Semi Realistic PeopleRealistic People

People are arguably the most difficult subject to draw realistically. Read on to discover the rules of drawing a realistic face as well as a realistic figure.

Method 1
Semi Realistic People

Make sure you draw lightly so it's more of a sketch than the final project. When you are finished with the sketches, erase them. They are easier to erase now that your lines are lighter.

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    Create a medium-sized circle at the top of the page.
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    Bisect the circle with a vertical line extending out of the circle at the bottom. Add connecting lines to form the guides to jaws and the chin of the human head.
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    Join three horizontal lines for guides to the eyes, nose and mouth.
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    Draw football shaped eyes each on either side for the eyes and the a small curved line for the tip of the nose.
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    Draw the realistic lips of the human at the bottom of the nose symmetrical of shape on either side of the vertical dividing line.
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    Make the eye-lids and the eye-brows as well.
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    Create a realistic shape of the ear-outline on either side of the head originating from the eye-level.
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    Draw guides to the throat and the shoulders.
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    On the basis of the guides of the head, draw the hair of the human.
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    Erase all sketchy guides and draw clear and final lines.
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    Color the realistic human character.
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    Apply shades and highlights to the color.

Method 2
Realistic People

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    Create a smaller circle and bisect it with a vertical line extending out from the bottom of the circle.
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    Add joining guides for the eyes, nose ,mouth and the outline of the jaw and chin as well.
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    Make neat shapes for the eyes on the eye-line guide and a realistic nose on the vertical line and a pair of lips as well.
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    Create hair on the skull with bunches of irregular hair dropping on either side.
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    Extend curved hairs for the lady on one of her shoulders.
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    Form the shoulders, and the upper arms together with the breasts to complete the guidelines.
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    Add further details to the eyebrows and the eyes. Add a small detail to the chin as well.
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    Erase all unwanted lines.
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    Color the realistic lady with shades.

Things You'll Need

  • A sketch book or piece of sketch paper
  • A pencil

Article Info

Categories: Drawing People and Features