Dancer Sitting

We will use proportioning and aligning techniques for this drawing to ensure accurate placement of the features. For drawings such as this, it can be helpful to draw circles to place the knees and elbows during the process of the structural sketch. The light source is coming from the upper left.

Materials

Paper: 12" × 9" (30cm × 23cm) medium-texture drawing paper

Pencils: 2B graphite, 6B graphite

Other Supplies: kneaded eraser

Optional Supplies: 12" × 9" (30cm × 23cm) medium-texture sketch paper, lightbox or transfer paper

Related Interests

STEP 1: Place the Basic Proportions

With a 2B pencil, sketch horizontal lines for the top of the head and for the toes. Also add lines for the chin, shoulders and hip. Next, add vertical lines to indicate the width of the shoulders and the side of the distant knee.

STEP 2: Sketch the Head, Torso and Joints

Sketch an oval for the head and curved lines for the front and back of the torso. Add circles for the placement of the joints of the upper arms, shoulders, elbows, hip and knees. These shapes will help in the placement of the arms and legs.

STEP 3: Add the Arms, Legs, Neck and Shoulders

With simple lines, sketch in the basic shapes of the arms, legs, neck and shoulders using a 2B pencil.

STEP 4: Sketch Shapes for the Hands and Feet and Lines

for the Features Sketch basic shapes for the hands and feet. Add lines for the placement of the facial features, chest and the seat.

STEP 5: Develop the Features

Develop the hands, feet, face, chest and clothes.

STEP 6: Refine the Form and Add the Details

Refine the overall form of the figure and add the details including fingers, slippers and shadows.

STEP 7: Add More Details and Erase Unwanted Lines or Transfer the Sketch

With a 2B pencil, add more details such as shadow lines. If working directly on the drawing paper, erase any unwanted lines. If you used sketch paper for your structural sketch, trace or transfer the image onto drawing paper, leaving out any unwanted lines.

STEP 8: Add the Lighter Values

With a 2B pencil, begin adding values starting with the lighter regions of the head, shoulders, arms, legs and seat.

STEP 9: Add the Middle Values

Gradually add the middle values, darkening features to develop the contours of the figure with a 2B pencil.

STEP 10: Add the Dark Values

With a 6B pencil, start darkening the hair, clothes and shadows of the drawing.

Irene

Graphite pencil on drawing paper

12" × 9" (30cm × 23cm)

STEP 11: Add the Details and Make Adjustments

Continue adding the darks and add any additional details and adjustments using 2B and 6B pencils. Lighten any areas as needed, lifting graphite with a kneaded eraser. Sign the front of the drawing and write the date on the back.