Using a pencil to draw people can bring out the artist in you that you did not know existed. By following a few easy steps, you can turn a piece of paper into a portrait. If you know draw different shapes, such as ovals, rectangles and triangles, you can easily combine these shapes to render a person.
Instructions
1. Prepare the model you will be drawing. Begin with a picture in a book or magazine, a photo or an image on the computer. Choose a picture of a person standing up--that will be easiest to start with. Make a copy of the picture so you can draw on it and make notes. Keep it simple at first and don't be afraid to make mistakes.
2. Measure equal sections on the picture you are working from using a ruler. Lightly draw lines across the picture, dividing it into equal segments. Normally, the head would be in one section, the torso would be divided into a couple of sections and the length of the rest of the body would follow in equal sections. It is important to evenly proportion the figure so your final drawing will look accurate.
3. Draw the outline for the body using various shapes. First, sketch an oval for the head. Lightly pencil in a line that divides the shape into vertical halves, keeping in mind that eventually you will erase this line. Separate the face horizontally into three equal sections by drawing horizontal lines lightly across it. Starting on the top line, pencil in two ovals for the eyes on opposite sides of the vertical line. Draw the mouth using the bottom line of the face as a guideline. Between the eyes and the mouth, insert the nose in the middle section.
4. Sketch the top half of the torso by drawing rectangles for the upper body and upper arms. Continue using rectangles to place the features in the bottom half of the torso, such as lower arms, hips and stomach area. Insert vertical lines between the torso and the head for the neck area. Look at the segments in the bottom half of your drawing and use rectangular shapes to draw the legs and feet. Sketch in ovals where the knees will be positioned.
5. Add features to your outline starting at the top of the head. Pencil in ears, detail the eyes and shape the shoulders and neck with curved lines. Continue to round the person's shape by drawing curved lines on the body.
6. Add details such as hands, elbows, knees and feet. Draw the clothing that the person is wearing. When the general picture is complete, erase all of the lines that you used for outlining and segmenting. Sketch squiggly lines to show creases in clothes and shade areas to highlight different features around the eyes, nose and lips.
