How to Draw People in Watercolors, Oils, or Acrylics can be done as a detailed picture or as a simple character suggestion. Either way, adding people to your boards is a great way to add interest. The viewer will spend more time looking at your canvas when there are people appearing in the scene.
One way to add shapes or people to your board is to add them quickly and without too much detail. Drawn in this way, it is seen as a suggestion, as even without the detail the viewer knows what it is. You will notice an improvement in your numbers if you practice it often. They can be done from life, photos, or even your imagination.
Some examples of adding people to your boards are showing people walking. Like a couple walking hand in hand or someone walking a dog. I often bring my watercolors when I go to the beach. I paint small, quick watercolors of children and adults walking, swimming, playing in the sand, or sitting on colorful towels and chairs. Whenever you get the chance, try to practice drawing outdoors and don’t forget to have fun with it! It gives work to your paintings when you include people in your theme.
facts
Some facts about drawing and coloring people are:
- There are about seven heads in the total height of the figure.
- The upper part of the legs or the waist is half the height of the figure.
- The arms hang halfway down the thigh.
Observing people is the best way to find out the right proportions. I always look for the light that falls on the shape and use it to create the form. Find shadows on people and use the light values alongside the dark values. Try not to draw stick figures, and note how people stand and walk and the angle created with the shoulders and hips.
Make sure to scale people to their surroundings. The people closest to you are greater than the people far away. Ensure your staff is the correct proportion of buildings, doors, cars, etc. Use the largest brush possible and paint shapes to create shapes and add as few details as possible. I recently painted a small watercolor of a man sitting on a beach chair. He was sitting right on the water’s edge looking out to sea. I used a large 5″ x 7″ squirrel mop brush to paint.
A story will be told when you add shapes to your boards. The beach scene is more interesting with a couple walking along the beach or a person walking a dog on a leash. Imagine this scene without people, the whole scene is stagnant or boring. Your drawings will come to life when you draw people in your subject. Drawing people takes practice but enjoyment. Try not to be perfect and your characters will be more expressive.