Perhaps one of the best ways to convey the full beauty and aesthetics of the mind is through the creation of art. Everyone has their own individual style but those who are serious about honing their skills may want to consider studying various techniques. When it comes to the drawing of human figures in pencil, there are a few guidelines that can make it easier.

Some of the most important factors to sketching a good humanoid form are little details like limb proportion, the torso's size, positioning of the shoulders, neck length and thickness, and head shape. Getting each aspect correct and bringing them together effectively can be challenging because the body is very complexly designed. Skills can be infinitely improved by learning and practicing tips and guidelines.

Getting an instructional book on drawing anatomical forms may be a good idea before one starts practicing on paper. By first learning to see the different sections of the body as geometric shapes, it can be helpful in gaining some understanding of the basic design. This can be especially beneficial to beginners with no practical experience.

The next step is decide whether the form will be placed into a full composition, or a partial one. This will determine how much positive space will be used and in which direction the sketch will be positioned. Choosing a posture for the figure is also very much important as a standing body will be best set in a portrait orientation, while a prone subject would fit better in landscape mode.

Any artwork that involves humanoid subjects can become less appealing when the proportions are unrealistic. This alone is reason enough for one to study the ratio of one body section to another so that there is a deeper understanding of how they come together to form proper anatomy. A wooden artist's mannequin or tutorial handbook can be incredible references as they can help avoid drawing the form disproportionately.

In both the male and female forms, it is important to consider symmetry. In the perfect sense, the left and right sides of a body are perfectly balanced in design, size and balance. To get good details, remembering that women usually feature soft, feminine curves, while men are often bulky in their thighs and calves, and wider in the shoulders and chest.

When it comes to the matter of sketching, shading plays a very important role. Whether using live models or wooden ones as guidance, a person should consider the source of lighting. This means keeping the areas which are directly exposed to the illumination source light while using darker tones to indicate the parts that would be laying in shadow zones.

By following instructional guidelines, a person can become better at drawing the forms of both men and women. An improvement in one's skills is bound to happen when time and effort are dedicated to the study and practice of various techniques. An artist can experience an incredible amount of joy when using their freedom of expression to create wonderful works of art.