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Christina Wu/Dubell

Are you tired of not being able to draw nice faces? Do you wonder why your portraits look weird? Do you find it difficult to understand anatomy and figure drawing? Then this course is what you're looking for.

You will learn how to draw the male and female body, understand simplified forms of the body, and how to draw and paint portraits. You will also be going through the process of painting the figure and the head in an effective way.

So what else is in it for you?

Read more

Are you tired of not being able to draw nice faces? Do you wonder why your portraits look weird? Do you find it difficult to understand anatomy and figure drawing? Then this course is what you're looking for.

You will learn how to draw the male and female body, understand simplified forms of the body, and how to draw and paint portraits. You will also be going through the process of painting the figure and the head in an effective way.

So what else is in it for you?

In this course, you’ll learn how to construct the body using simple proportions, and have a more solid understanding of how the muscles are constructed, as well as seeing how the skull affects the overall outcome in your portraits. You will also be learning about painting in black and white, and how to apply color on top.

You’ll also gain instant, life time access to all 11 sections of the course.

The course is designed to help you to easily understand all about people drawing, within a short amount of time. You will be learning how to apply the basic shapes and turn it into a fantastic portrait, or a dynamic figure drawing. These foundations will help your illustrations look a lot more solid and will help you be more confident in your drawing skills.

Here’s what you get with the course:

You’ll get access to the 11 sections of the course that will teach you the step by step process of drawing good proportioned figures, how to draw muscles in an easy way, how to draw different types of people, and how to draw aesthetic portraits. The course is supported with over 15 hours of content that I will guide you through each step of the way.

All yours instantly:

  • The course starts with the basics. I will be going over how to draw boxes, cylinders, and spheres. You will also be doing line exercises, as well as learning how to use basic photoshop skills.

  • Next, you will get an in-depth understanding of figure drawing and proportions using the 8 heads method, 3 box method, and using hand measurements.

  • Following that, you will be drawing the torso muscles, back muscles, legs, and arm muscles. You will also be drawing hands and feet and breaking them down in a simple manner.

  • Then, you will learn how to put together all the muscles to form the male and female body, constructing it from the ground up. I will also go over how to draw different body types for men and women, and how to construct quick poses.

  • I will also be teaching you a simple rendering process so you can start painting figures with ease.

  • After that, we will be going into how to draw different types of male and female heads, where I explain how ethnic features lead to more interesting faces.

  • We will then be taking the heads and making portrait studies out of them by painting in black and white values.

  • For the last projects, we will be doing a full head to toe figure painting that'll bring together everything you have learned in this course.

Over the 11 sections you will learn:

  • How to make good proportions

  • Anatomy

  • How to use photoshop

  • How to draw different body types

  • How to draw the head

  • Perspective for the head

  • Different types of heads

  • How to render in a simple way

  • How to paint in black and white

  • How to convert black and white images to color

What else will you get?

- Personal contact with the instructor through udemy

- Lifetime access to course materials

- Real time tutorials

- Live commentary

This all comes under one convenient easy to use platform. In addition, you will get fast, friendly, responsive support on the Udemy Q&A section of the course or direct message.

Can’t wait to see what you come up with.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up now and start practicing.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Anatomy simplified
  • How to construct the body
  • Proportion breakdown
  • How to draw hands and feet
  • Muscle breakdown
  • How to draw poses

Syllabus

Introduction

Hello! Welcome to the course!

In this video, I will give additional resources for you to try!

In this video, I will go over materials needed for the course, as well as optional ones.

Read more

In this video, we will draw an eye for the inspiration demo!

In this video, I will go over photoshop basics that I often use!

Part 2 of the photoshop demo!

In this video, I will go over basic forms such as boxes, spheres, and cylinders.

In this video, I will go over basic line exercises that'll help you improve in line quality.

In this video, I will go over simple proportions using the dividing method, and hand measurements.

In this video, I will go over the torso muscles for men and women.

In this video, I will go over the back muscles for men and women.

In this video, I will go over the leg muscles for men and women.

In this video, I will go over the arm muscles for men and women.

Here is an extra add on for glutes.

In this video, I will go over the basics of hands and feet.

In this video, I will go through the step by step process of drawing hands.

In this video, I will go through the step by step process of drawing feet.

In this video, I will go through the different male body types.

In this video, I will go through the different female body types.

In this video, I will draw the full anatomy of the male body front and back.

In this video, I will draw the full anatomy of the female body front and back.

In this video, I will be going over how to construct poses using flat planes.

In this video, I will go over a simple rendering process.

In this video, I will construct different types of male heads.

In this video, I will construct different types of female heads.

In this video, I will be layering features on top of our constructed head!

In this video, I will be putting in rough values on our head drawing!

In this video, I will be refining the portrait and fixing any mistakes that I made in the value block in.

In this video, I will be using the color layer to turn the black and white image into color.

In this video, I will be layering features on top of our constructed female head!

In this video, I will be drawing the rough sketch for the male body.

In this video, I will be putting in rough values for the front and back of the male body.

In this video, I will be refining the values on the front part of the body.

In this video, I will be refining the values on the back part of the body.

In this video, I will be using the color layer again to apply colors to the black and white bodies.

In this video, I will be drawing the rough sketch for the female body.

In this video, I will be putting in rough values for the female body.

In this video, I will be refining the figure!

In this video, I will be refining the values for the head.

In this video, I will be using a new method to apply colors to the image.

In this video, I'll be showing you how you can turn a realistic portrait to a stylized one!

Congrats on finishing the course!! See you next time!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Breaks down complex anatomy into simplified forms, which is helpful for beginners who are intimidated by the intricacies of figure drawing
Covers the 8 heads method, 3 box method, and hand measurements, which are all standard techniques for proportioning the human figure
Includes instruction on using Photoshop for drawing and painting, which is a valuable skill for digital artists
Teaches how to render values and apply color to figures, which are essential skills for creating realistic and visually appealing artwork
Requires learners to have access to and familiarity with Photoshop, which may pose a barrier to some students
Focuses on drawing and painting in black and white before adding color, which is a traditional approach that may not appeal to all learners

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Reviews summary

Drawing & painting people made simple

According to learners, this course is a solid foundation for anyone looking to draw and paint people, particularly beginners. Students consistently praise the clear and easy-to-follow instructions provided by the instructor. The course structure and step-by-step approach make potentially complex topics like anatomy and proportion surprisingly manageable. Many appreciate how the course breaks down complex figures into simple shapes. While some aspects like digital painting basics (Photoshop) are included, the core strength lies in its fundamental drawing concepts. A few newer reviews hint at the course retaining its high quality over time.
Includes some introductory Photoshop use.
"I appreciated the inclusion of the Photoshop basics."
"The section on digital painting was a useful addition."
"It was nice to see how the concepts could be applied digitally, even if it was basic."
Strong focus on core drawing techniques.
"This course gives a really solid foundation for drawing people."
"I feel much more confident in my basic drawing skills after taking this."
"The emphasis on understanding forms and structure was very valuable."
Follows a logical, easy progression.
"The step by step process makes it really easy to follow along and complete the exercises."
"I liked how the course built up from basics to more complex topics."
"The progression through different parts of the body and face was well-planned."
Ideal for those starting their art journey.
"This course is absolutely wonderful for beginners, the instructor explains things really well and in a very understandable way."
"As someone who is a beginner this course is really helpful to understand the fundamentals."
"I'm just starting out and this course made learning anatomy and drawing people feel less intimidating."
"Perfect course for beginners, the steps are so easy to follow."
Makes complex body mechanics understandable.
"I've always struggled with anatomy, but this course broke it down in a way that finally clicked for me."
"Learning to construct the body using simple shapes has been a game-changer."
"The methods for understanding proportion are very helpful and easy to remember."
"I finally feel like I can draw figures that look correct."
Instructor explains complex topics simply.
"His explanations are always very simple, clear and easy to follow."
"The instructor explains things very clearly, step-by-step."
"I really like the instructor's teaching style and how he breaks things down."
"I found the instructions easy to understand and apply."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Draw and Paint People Made Simple with these activities:
Review Basic Anatomy Terminology
Familiarize yourself with basic anatomical terms to better understand muscle descriptions and figure drawing instructions.
Browse courses on Human Anatomy
Show steps
  • Find a list of common anatomical terms online or in a textbook.
  • Review terms related to body regions (e.g., anterior, posterior, lateral).
  • Practice identifying these terms on diagrams of the human body.
Review 'Figure Drawing: For All It's Worth' by Andrew Loomis
Study a foundational text on figure drawing to reinforce the course's teachings on proportion and anatomy.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Figure Drawing: For All It's Worth'.
  • Read the sections on proportion, construction, and basic anatomy.
  • Practice the exercises and drawing techniques presented in the book.
Practice Gesture Drawing
Improve your ability to capture the essence of a pose quickly and accurately, which is crucial for dynamic figure drawing.
Show steps
  • Find reference images of people in various poses.
  • Set a timer for 2-5 minutes per pose.
  • Focus on capturing the overall movement and energy of the pose, rather than details.
  • Repeat this exercise regularly to improve speed and accuracy.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Digital Anatomy Study Guide
Solidify your understanding of anatomy by creating a visual guide that you can reference later.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific area of the body to focus on (e.g., torso, arms, legs).
  • Gather reference images and diagrams of the muscles and bones in that area.
  • Create a digital drawing or painting that labels the major anatomical features.
  • Add brief descriptions of each feature's function.
Personal Figure Drawing Project
Apply the skills learned in the course to create a finished figure drawing or painting.
Show steps
  • Choose a subject and pose for your drawing.
  • Create a rough sketch to establish the composition and proportions.
  • Refine the drawing, paying attention to anatomy and form.
  • Add values and details to create a finished piece.
Review 'Dynamic Anatomy' by Burne Hogarth
Deepen your understanding of anatomy and dynamic poses by studying a more advanced text.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Dynamic Anatomy'.
  • Study the sections on muscle structure, bone structure, and dynamic poses.
  • Practice drawing figures in dynamic poses, using Hogarth's techniques.
Provide Feedback to Other Students
Reinforce your understanding by helping others and explaining concepts in your own words.
Show steps
  • Join online art forums or communities.
  • Look for opportunities to provide constructive criticism on other students' figure drawings.
  • Explain your reasoning and offer suggestions for improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete How to Draw and Paint People Made Simple will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Portrait Artist
A portrait artist creates images of people, either through painting, drawing, or other media. For the aspiring portrait artist, this course helps build the skills needed to capture likeness and expression. The course directly addresses portrait creation, including head construction, perspective, and variations in features. The modules on drawing different types of heads and painting in black and white are particularly useful for a portrait artist. This course also provides content to help the portrait artist to create compelling and lifelike portraits that capture the essence of their subjects.
Figure Painter
A figure painter specializes in creating paintings that focus on the human form. This course helps anyone wanting to become a figure painter by focusing on drawing and painting people. The course includes comprehensive lessons on anatomy, proportion, figure drawing, and rendering. With its modules on muscle breakdown, head construction, and different body types, the course provides figure painters with the skills to create compelling and lifelike figures. This course provides content to help the aspiring figure painter learn core drawing skills, improve their rendering skills, and find their voice as an artist.
Fashion Illustrator
Fashion illustrators create artwork used to visually communicate and promote clothing and accessories. This course helps those interested in becoming fashion illustrators by building a foundation in drawing and painting people with emphasis on accurate human form and anatomy. The course covers essential skills including drawing simplified body forms, male and female anatomy, and portrait creation. Learning to construct the body and render figures as taught in this course helps the fashion illustrator create visually impactful designs that elevate the art.
Illustrator
An illustrator creates images for books, magazines, and other media. This course helps anyone wanting to become an illustrator by building a foundation in drawing and painting people. The course's focus on anatomy, figure drawing, and portrait creation are highly relevant to illustration work. The course also covers how to draw different body types and construct poses, which are essential skills for creating compelling illustrations. The course provides content to help the aspiring illustrator learn core drawing skills, improve their skills in rendering, and find their voice as an artist.
Digital Artist
A digital artist creates art using digital tools and software. This course may be useful to the aspiring digital artist by providing training in drawing and painting the human form. The course includes lessons on proportion, anatomy, and figure drawing. The course also covers basic photoshop skills, which are essential for digital art. This course provides content to help the aspiring digital artist learn core drawing skills, improve their rendering skills, and find their voice as an artist.
Comic Book Artist
A comic book artist creates the visual narrative of comic books, including character design, panel layout, and inking. For anyone wanting to be a comic book artist, this course helps build a foundation in drawing and painting people, which is a core skill. The course emphasizes understanding anatomy, drawing different body types, and creating dynamic poses which are essential for bringing comic book characters to life. Learning to construct the body and render figures, as taught in this course, can help the comic book artist to create visually impactful panels, as well as helping the comic book artist improve their rendering skills.
Animator
An animator creates moving images using various techniques, often involving drawing characters and scenes. This course helps those interested in becoming animators by teaching figure drawing and anatomy. Animators need to create believable character movements, and this course provides a good foundation by focusing on drawing and painting people. This course, with its modules on proportion, muscle structure, and poses, provides essential skills for creating dynamic and realistic animations. The animator will find the ability to construct poses and render figures useful.
Visual Development Artist
A visual development artist works in animation and film, creating the look and feel of a project through character designs, environment concepts, and color palettes. This course may be useful to those pursuing a career as a visual development artist by helping build a foundation in drawing and painting people. The course covers essential skills, including understanding simplified body forms, male and female anatomy, and portrait creation. With its modules on proportion, muscle structure, head construction, rendering, and color, the visual development artist will be well-equipped.
Tattoo Artist
A tattoo artist applies permanent designs to the skin using needles and ink. This course helps anyone wanting to become a tattoo artist by focusing on drawing and design skills. The ability to accurately render the human form and create compelling designs is essential for a tattoo artist. The course provides content to help the aspiring tattoo artist learn core drawing skills, covering anatomy, proportion, and figure drawing. Modules on muscle breakdown and rendering provides the tattoo artist with skills to create intricate designs that work with the body's contours.
Storyboard Artist
A storyboard artist visualizes stories by creating a sequence of drawings that represent the scenes of a film, television show, or animation. This course helps those interested in becoming a storyboard artist by focusing on drawing and painting people. The ability to quickly sketch and convey character poses and expressions is essential in storyboarding. This course, with its coverage of figure drawing, simplified body forms, and portrait creation, provides a strong base. The lessons on constructing the body, drawing different body types, and rendering figures may be particularly valuable for a storyboard artist. This course provides content to help the aspiring storyboard artist learn core drawing skills.
Character Designer
A character designer creates visual representations of characters for use in various media such as video games, animation, and comic books. This course may be useful to those pursuing a career as a character designer by building a foundation in drawing and painting people. The course covers essential skills, including understanding simplified body forms, male and female anatomy, and portrait creation. With its modules on proportion, muscle structure, and head construction, this course may help the aspiring character designer to create compelling and believable characters. Understanding how to construct poses and render figures is valuable for any character designer.
Concept Artist
A concept artist creates visual representations of ideas for use in films, video games, and other media. A concept artist often needs to visualize characters and their environments. This course helps build a foundation in drawing and painting people, which may be useful to aspiring concept artists. The course covers simplified body forms, male and female anatomy, and portrait creation. The modules on figure drawing, muscle structuring, and head construction may be helpful to the aspiring concept artist. This course may also help the concept artist to create compelling character designs and illustrations.
Medical Illustrator
A medical illustrator creates visual representations of medical and biological subjects for textbooks, patient education materials, and other media, often requiring an advanced degree. This course may be useful to an aspiring medical illustrator by providing a foundation in drawing the human form. The course covers anatomy, proportion, and muscle structure which are essential for accurately depicting the human body. The modules on drawing different body types and rendering figures may be particularly helpful for creating detailed and informative medical illustrations. Aspiring medical illustrators may find this course to be a valuable starting point.
Art teacher
An art teacher instructs students in various art techniques and concepts. This course may be useful to art teachers by providing them with a deeper understanding of figure drawing and painting. The course covers essential concepts such as anatomy, proportion, and figure construction, which the teacher can then pass on to their students. The modules on drawing different body types and rendering figures may also be helpful for the teacher to create effective lesson plans and demonstrations. The art teacher may also use the course's resources for art projects.
Fashion Designer
A fashion designer creates clothing and accessories, often starting with sketches. This course may be useful to those pursuing fashion design by providing a better understanding of the human form. The course covers proportion, anatomy, and drawing different body types which can help the designer accurately represent clothing on the body. The modules on constructing poses and rendering figures may also be helpful for creating fashion illustrations. This course may help the aspiring fashion designer to create compelling designs and accurately represent their vision.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Draw and Paint People Made Simple.
Presents a dynamic approach to anatomy, focusing on the movement and action of the human body. It covers musculature, skeletal structure, and proportions in a way that emphasizes their role in creating dynamic poses. It great resource for understanding how the body moves and how to depict it in action, adding depth to the course's anatomy lessons. This book is best suited for intermediate to advanced artists.

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