Is figure drawing important?

Question from Skotchy

Do I really have to know how to draw humans if it’s my goal to know how to draw animals and made-up creatures?

I ask that because many drawing lessons are about drawing humans.

Dear Skotchy,

Many thanks for your question.

The short answer is YES, you will benefit tremendously from the study of human bodily proportions and anatomy, because your fantasy creatures will not look professionally crafted otherwise.

Illustrations © Clint Cearley

This is an amateur mistake to assume that you only need to learn how to draw certain things. I explained this erroneous belief in this video:

//drawingacademy.com/12-biggest-drawing-mistakes-2

Erroneous belief #3:
“I need to learn how to draw a particular subject, like people, animals, cars, etc.”

Studying how to draw one kind of objects, like animals, for example, will not get you far.

You might learn how to copy one or two objects, but those are not proficient drawing skills that a fine artist can rely on.

To become a skilful artist, you need much more – you have to learn the fundamentals of drawing, including such topics as:

• constructive drawing principles;
• rules of linear and aerial perspective;
• golden proportions;
• rules of composition;
• proportions of the human body;
• human anatomy;
• rendering techniques;
• tonal values theory;
• and many more.

Without the skills listed above, your artworks will always end up looking amateurish. If you want to become an original artist who can draw whatever you want from life, memory, and imagination, then you have to master the foundations of drawing first.

Do not assume that, because you do not plan on becoming a figurative artist, human anatomy is a useless subject.

In this world, everything that we see is subconsciously compared to the human body and its proportions. We tend to see faces in random objects, and we like architecture that is based on the proportions of human body parts. This is hardwired in our brains. We believe things are beautiful if they have human—and therefore, golden—proportions.

Without understanding the human body, you have no chance of creating fantastical creatures skillfully.

The same goes for animals. You will be surprised at the similarities between the anatomy of human and animal bodies. First, you have to learn the human body; then you will be fluent in the artistic representation of the anatomy of all mammals, and most other animals.

If you are serious about becoming a proficient artist and being able to draw whatever you see or imagine, enroll in the drawing course below: