Sketch a person from head to toe

What can we use if we don't have a ruler, tissue, or blending stump?

If you don't have a ruler use a book edge or a straight cardboard strip to draw the vertical center line, replace tissue for blending with a clean cotton swab or fingertip, and substitute a blending stump with a tightly folded piece of paper to smooth pencil shading.

Why does my figure look out of proportion or smudged, and how can I fix it?

If proportions are off remeasure using the head-length units along your center line and adjust the ribcage and pelvis ovals and joint circles, and prevent smudges by working with light strokes, resting a scrap paper under your hand, and erasing extra construction lines gently as the instructions say.

How can I adapt this head-to-toe sketch activity for different ages?

For younger children simplify to a center line, a large head and stick limbs with block hands, elementary-age kids can follow the head-length measurements, ribcage/pelvis ovals and joint circles, and older kids or teens can focus on refining contours, clothing folds, blended shading and adding a signature before sharing on DIY.org.

How can we extend or personalize the sketch after finishing the basic figure?

To enhance the drawing, design unique clothing and hairstyles over the body shapes, add a background or props, ink and color the outlines after shading, and photograph or record a time-lapse to upload to DIY.org with your signature.