While there are a number of different mediums which can be used for drawing, charcoal, ink and graphite are often the most popular. When drawing human figures in pencil, many artists prefer to use different shades and tones of graphite. Generally, by changing different soft and hard tones of graphite, an artist can enhance and highlight shapes and curves in the human form.

The proper term for sketching from a figurine or object is considered figure drawing. Whereas, when working from a live model, the preferred term is often that of life drawing. While drawing or sketching from a model or object is often difficult, life drawing can be a great experience for live models and artists.

Life and figure drawing are the two most difficult aspects in this genre. While this is the case, the plethora of art classes in drawing, sketching and other areas now being offered at museums, colleges and universities is on the rise. As a result, there are now more artists working with these different mediums than in quite some time.

Different artists take different approaches when drawing the human form. For example, some may draw from photographs while others may use skeletal models. Whereas, some artist may draw solely from inspiration and memory. While this is case, most denounce drawing from photographs due to past comes which have often fallen flat in comparison to other mediums.

Light and shadow are an important aspect of this type drawing. For, whether using crayon, pencil, ink or other medium, artists love to create shadows and reflections by using light and dark tones. As such, using light and shadow is a technique that has become popular with artists and photographers.

When it comes to pencil, most artists prefer to use different orientations of graphite. Depending on the intensity and shadowing required, there are a number of different formulations of light and dark tones available. One nice difference between graphite and charcoal or ink is that pencil can be erased and manipulated to make changes. Whereas, if an artist makes a mistake using crayon, charcoal or ink, the piece must often be recreated from the beginning.

Many well known artists have been known to draw in pencil then sketch over the pencil drawing with ink. One of the most popular and well known artist to do so was Pablo Picasso. In fact, when it comes to cubism, it is fairly easy to see both pen and pencil when viewing this work in a museum whether by Picasso or other artists in the genre. Artists do need to remember that once the pencil has been traced with ink, recreating the piece is the only option for editing and revision.

While not well known, it was not until the 19th century that women were admitted into life and figure drawing classes. Although, when touring a museum, it is fairly easy to notice the disproportionate amount of female to male artists of the period. Perhaps one reason Georgia O'Keefe and others have now become some of the most popular artists and photographers of the 20th century.