>> Introduction
A Stick Figure Tutorial?! Yes. Even though you might think that drawing stick figures is something EVERYONE can do, there are certain guidelines which make stick figures look like "real" stick figures. This tutorial will teach you the basics of drawing the simplest and - at the same time - most difficult style in the world.
|
>> Basics
If you've never drawn ANYTHING yet, try to draw circles and lines before you read the rest of this tutorial. This is a huge step for most people, so sit down and take your time. Your lines and circles should look like this:
If you can't draw this you've been chosen not to draw stick figures. Go and play with flies.
|
>> Head
Most people say: "Hey, what's the problem with drawing circles?" Well, I say: Try it and you'll notice! Most people will draw an egg, or things that have weird outgrowths.
See? So, the real head should look like this:
Also keep in mind that stick figures at this size have neither ears nor eyes. If you draw ears or eyes you break one of the basic rules of simple and yet difficult stick figure drawings: Not to draw ears or eyes at this small size. (Stick Figures are ALWAYS small.) Keep that in mind. You can however draw hair, a nose, a mouth and additional items which characterize a character (hats, eye patches, nose rings, etc.).
|
>> Nose
Most people say: "Hey, what's the problem with drawing a simple line?" Well, I say: Try it and you'll notice! Most people draw either no noses at all or Pinocchio outgrowths.
And this is what it should look like:
Now you might say: "I can't see any difference." Of course, there is a difference, are you blind? The nose in the "real" picture looks more realistic than the picture shown above the "real" one. Note that you MUST NOT draw stick figures from front view. It is a strict rule. If you break it, you don't have the talent to draw stick figures. I'm sorry.
|
>> Mouth
The mouth is the most important instrument to create emotions on the faces of your stick figures. This is rather difficult, so pay close attention. The following picture shows how to draw mouths the wrong way:
Forbidden are lips, tongues and cheeks. Also, stick figures can't open their mouths. The head's closed. Forever. Here's an example of how to draw mouths correctly:
The above image shows the following emotions: Grinning, talking and stunned. Try to vary those mouth emotions a bit and soon you'll notice the huge repertory of stick figure emotions.
|
>> Body
This is really hard. I suggest you read it first, then read it a second time, then take your pencil and draw step by step.
First: Draw the head as described above. Make a nose (not too long, but still existent) and maybe a mouth, but let's not overdo it here. We've got other problems now.
After that draw a line, about as big as the head.
Now draw the same line in a 40° angle from the lower end of the previous line to the lower left.
Draw the same line to the lower right. Be careful! If you can't do it, try it again as often as necessary.
Now we're going to draw the left arm. We use a common pose with the hand on the hips.
Try to do the same with the right arm.
Congratulations! You just finished your first complete stick figure. I can do it way better than you, so I chose to add a hat to make it look more realistic.
|
>> Female Bodies
There are no female bodies invented yet. But you can try to add long hair and attach a ribbon to her head.
If you draw breasts you get banned.
|
>> Hair
Remember that stick figures should be kept simple. Drawing hair might irritate people who look at your stick figure art. But if you choose to complicate things, here you go:
In the picture above you see: Short hair, weird hair, long hair and very short hair.
|
>> Poses
Apart from mouths, stick figures have another way to express their emotion: Poses! Right, stick figures have poses. It's actually a bit too complex for stick figure art, but sometimes you might need poses to explain a joke or something similar.
In the above picture you see: Happy, angry, thinking and insulting.
|
>> Final Thought
You'll need about 10 years until you can finally draw stick figures realistically. You'll need patience, motivation and the will to finish your stick figure lesson. Drawing stick figures is a life goal. Do it or forget it. Just remember: Only a few people really are Stick Figure Art Master Artists (SFAMA). And you can be one of them if you work hard.
Also, just in case you wanna know: I'm not gonna explain how to draw a hat. It took me 5 years to invent this hat, now go and invent it yourself.
|
|