• 1
  Start with a simple headshot to familiarize yourself with facial structures.fashion model in denim image by Paul Hill from Fotolia.com
  
  Select a clear and simple figure from your fashion magazine. Choose a model who is facing forward in an uncomplicated pose. This exercise will be most helpful if you can see the model's facial features and bone structure. Spend some time familiarizing yourself with basic geometric shapes that make up the human figure, i.e.: a triangle for the nose, circles for eyes, a rectangle for the torso, etc.
  
  
• 2
  Try sketching the suggestion of a figure, rather than a photorealistic representation.sketch image by dpaint from Fotolia.com
  
  Sketch the basic outline of your chosen figure. Don't try to be perfect----use loose, flowing lines to approximate the shape of the figure. You can always clean it up later.
  
  
• 3
  Although the eyes are set back, they reflect light, and will therefore stand out from shadows.eyes image by EvilGirl from Fotolia.com
  
  Create facial features with shading rather than solid lines. Typically, objects that are close up will be brightly lit, while objects that are farther away will fall into shadow. Apply this principle when sketching the planes of the face----the tip of the nose and the edges of the lips will catch the most light, while the ears will recede into shadow. The eyes, similarly, are set farther back in the skull----shadows will fall to the right and left of the bridge of the nose and beneath the eyebrows. The eyeballs themselves, however, are very reflective, and will therefore usually be the brightest part of the face.
  
  
• 4
  Lines around the mouth and between the eyebrows create emotional expressions.emotion 3 image by M.Zaturi from Fotolia.com
  
  Polish your sketch by defining edges with darker lines and erasing stray lines. This is where using a reference image is more helpful than a live model----it will not change positions, the light will not change, and it will not grow impatient. Take the time to work on small details such as muscle tone--use the same shading technique described in Step 3--and folds in the skin that can help create expression and emotion.
  
  
• 5
  Drawing the human form requires practice.vacation study 7 image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  Practice. Try sketching the same figure in different ways: use boxy shapes instead of curved shapes, or solid shadows as opposed to gradually faded shading. The more you work on one figure, the more comfortable you will become drawing the human form in general. What you learn from drawing one image can be applied to the next.
  
  

When you don't have a reference...

• 1
  Keeping your figure proportional is important to realistic drawing.paper clip scale inch image by Anatoly Tiplyashin from Fotolia.com
  
  Sketch an oval for the head. From there, you can determine the appropriate proportions for your figure. Generally, a person will stand seven heads tall. Draw seven similarly sized ovals, and you will have a figure with a head proportionate to its body. The torso is typically equal to three heads, the arms will add up to three and a half heads, and the legs will measure four heads.
  
  
• 2
  Flesh it out.anconeus muscle image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.com
  
  "Bubble" out your figure's limbs to create muscles (circles and ovals work well for this). Having previously worked from a reference will make this much easier, and you'll be able to create a realistic approximation of musculature.
  
  
• 3
  Use geometric shapes for the basis of organic figures.unique freedom image by kkk from Fotolia.com
  
  Make sure your figure's facial proportions are accurate by dividing the oval in half vertically and horizontally. Position the eyes on the horizontal midpoint, equidistant from from the vertical midpoint. You've got it right if you can position a third eye between them. Next, draw a horizontal line halfway between the eyes and the base of the oval: this is where the bottom of the nose will rest. Finally, divide the space between the nose and the "chin" in half horizontally: the mouth goes here. Measure from the middle of the right eye to the middle of the left eye: this is how wide the mouth should be
  
  
• 4
  It's important to know what direction your light comes from in order to shade realistically.There were two sources of light and shadows image by Luckybargee27 from Fotolia.com
  
  Decide on a light source: is it the sun overhead, or a lamp on a table to the figure's right? Then, using this information, apply the shading technique described in Section 1. This is the best way to bring your figure to life.