Resources: Figure Drawing

I’ve seen some of  these resources listed and recommended on tumblr and I thought I’d compile some of my favorites for archiving here on my website. This list will be constantly updated with stuff I use and would like to try.

When it comes to figure drawing, there really is no better way of learning than drawing from life. Check with your local community college or art gallery if they have live model drawing sessions and if you’re serious about improving, carry and draw in a sketchbook everyday.  The following tools aren’t meant to replace traditional means of learning (because we can all benefit from the feedback of professionals) but they are a great way to start learning, keep on your toes and warm-up before working on art.

Online Programs w/ Timers for Gesture Drawing

Posemaniacs
My favorite tool for 30-60 second warm-ups because of all the crazy angles to draw the figure from. They’ve included superhuman and child types too.
Artsy Poses
This site has photographs of real people set to a timer so I use these for longer poses.
Pixelovely
I use this as an alternative to the previous one from time to time.

Notes on Figure Drawing
Tip for gesture drawing
Analytical Figure Drawing from California Design Academy
Long Pose Figure Drawing from California Design Academy

Photo references
CharacterDesigns.com Photosets
Great stock photo references on Deviantart
lockstock / mjranum-stock

Books
Andrew Loomis
Human Anatomy for Artists

Muscles
Coelasquid’s Muscle Tutorial

Body Types
Der-shing Helmer’s Fellas Tutorial / Ladies Tutorial  Link broken: Fellas – http://alexds1.deviantart.com/art/Fellas-Tutorial-104865472 / Ladies- http://alexds1.deviantart.com/art/Ladies-Tutorial-98311607)
Human features and ratios, Drawing different Ethnotypes
Athletic Body Diversity Reference for artists

The Body in Motion
Scott Eaton – Bodies in Motion
Ballet photos on Tumblr
Muybridge Scans 1 / 2 

Faces/Heads
How to Draw the Head from any Angle
Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present
I’d like to practice portraiture on this entire set. You can see a wide range of face types here.
Funny Male Faces to Draw
101 Men/Women – also a fantastic age reference (possibly broken) http://www.onehundredone.dk/men.html

Feet
Der-Shing Helmer’s Foot Tutorial (Link broken: http://alexds1.deviantart.com/art/Foot-tutorial-90158269)
Drawn Feet and Shoe References Part 1 and Part 2

Hands
Hands from Understanding Anatomy
Expressive Hands in Character Design