Sphere

Distance

Face

Most people draw stick figures as just standing looking forward at the person drawing without any hint of fluid motion or movement. This tutorial can help you to see 'stick figures' in a new, animated way. Hopefully, -if you haven't already- you will be able to start to build actual characters instead of using just sticks for limbs.

First of all, you will need a pencil, eraser and paper.

To start off with, you need to decide what your little stick figure will be doing. What do you like to do? Take a minute to think of different situations he could be in. It could be sports or dancing. Just make sure that you know how the limbs will be situated. Throughtout the tutorial, you have to keep in mind that your 'stick figure' is a person. He has a back that bends. Here, we will start by drawing a line of motion, or how his back will curve (fig 1). My stick figure will be dancing in a ballet warm-up. Next, you need to place the head at an angle where the tip of the line is (fig 2). Now, using the line as a guide, place the limbs at an angle with it (fig 3).

By the time you get done doing that, you can add expression to his face and add clothes, or just keep him bare (fig 5). If you want to continue drawing, whether you're an amatuer or an expert, drawing stick figures in different positions daily will help you to develop active characters.