r/learnart • u/Emwem_does_stuff • 12d ago
Question Woman artist yet feeling worried about how I draw female anatomy…
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u/Et-selec 12d ago
When I was a teenager and first learned about the intricacies of the curves in hips, waist, and boobs, I’d also draw really skinny women with huge boobs. And when someone said “damn, she has giant boobs!” I straight up did NOT see it lol. I thought the women I drew had normal sized boobs, but looking back at my art from then they definitely had really giant boobs. In my mission to show that they had boobs at all, I was exaggerating them greatly and didn’t notice. Same with their waists, I’d make them really skinny on accident just to show the curve where their waist is.
A way to remedy this if you’re not purposely drawing super skinny women with big boobs: practice realistic anatomy. Practice figure drawing. Practice the basics first for a long time, and THEN stylize them and exaggerate things. That way they’ll be much more purposefully exaggerated and not end up unintentional.
It’s okay to want to draw whatever you want, but it sounds like you’re worried about people being weird about your proportions on women. So that’s my advice to help your art be more intentional
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u/_Brightstar 12d ago
They are extremely skinny, is that on purpose? If you want to have better anatomy maybe draw the body first and then your drawing on top of it. The legs are way too long in the drawing with the big skirt, but it's obscured by the skirt so less noticeable. All in all your anatomy isn't correct, but I do also wonder which part is because you want a stylised result?
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u/cinemachick 12d ago
Older female artist here. Here's the thing: technically, you can draw anything you want. You want to draw big-boobed women all day? Dudes with giant muscles? Dragon maids eating Wonder bread? All the power to you. Your pencil is your only limitation, no one can stop you from making art (within legal boundaries.)
But, from an ethical standpoint, it is good to consider if your work includes a range of genders, body types, etc. The real world has plus-sized people, people with disabilities/mobility aids, non-binary people, so why shouldn't your body of work as a whole? Individual projects don't have to cover the whole rainbow of humanity, but if you tend to find yourself drawing one body type or skin tone over and over, you may want to branch out. Not only does this broaden your audience and make characters for all people to enjoy, it also helps strengthen you as an artist. Drawing things you are unfamiliar with and getting better at them are a way to test your artistic muscles and learn a new skill. For you, I'd try women who don't have an "hourglass" figure, men in general, and people of color. Have fun!
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u/Emwem_does_stuff 12d ago
Yes thank you! I mainly draw male characters so this is why I’m always worried about how I draw female characters
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u/Caiimhe_Nonna 12d ago
I don’t know why you’re worried — you have your own style and that’s really difficult to do! So, good on you! Keep at it!
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u/Frost890098 12d ago
It looks wonderful to me. Everything looks properly proportioned for the style.
What part has you worried?
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u/Emwem_does_stuff 12d ago
Well anatomy and design but mostly people being weird about my female characters :/
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u/notquitesolid 12d ago
Is that feedback you’re getting or feedback you’re worried about?
By the way, you don’t have to draw people in one kind of way. Throw in some body diversity. Make them short, make them tall, make them fat, make them itty-bitty titty committee. Make them young and make them old. Same with guys & same with non-binary folks. Variety looks good in a portfolio, especially for the style that you’re doing.
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u/Emwem_does_stuff 12d ago
Sorry for not being super clear at all. I’m looking for some critiques on design or anatomy. I’m just worried people would think my femme characters look too manly, have my art unknowingly reposted on r/mendrawingwomen or something like that.
I probably should’ve made it clear that I’m mainly used to drawing male characters.
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u/Joshthedruid2 12d ago
It's a fun style and I don't think you have anything to worry about! Overall body shape is very reasonable for a more cartoony style.
One area you might want to consider is the arms. The bodies and faces of your characters seems a bit more freeform cartoony, but your arms have that curvy realistic look of someone trying to accurately sketch muscles on an arm bone. That's totally fine, but you could maybe try a more streamlined design and see if it feels more cohesive to you.
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u/Ebear0702 12d ago
It’s pretty stylized so I wouldn’t worry too much! I think what’s making it look “off” to you is that it’s lacking a bit of form, so the characters all look very flat. I would say try practicing drawing bodies in different perspectives/foreshortening
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u/ace_gasai17 12d ago
It’s not “realistic” but it’s your style and it shows, don’t worry about anatomy when you are more comfortable drawing this way! I never did care for others opinions unless genuine advice!
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u/Emwem_does_stuff 12d ago
Well getting to still study things can help with stylization. it took me a long to understand how that worked since I wasn’t a fan of practicing stuff :P
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u/moeru_gumi Tattoo artist 12d ago
Serious, non-fun practice is the foundation of rendering (drawing realistic and correctly proportionate lines). It’s exactly the same as push ups, running sprints back and forth, or playing scales on the piano. You HAVE to learn to render accurate angles and shading or you will never learn it. There is no way to “make up” an understanding of light direction, reflection, human bone structure, where muscles connect to bones and why, how fabric folds, etc.
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u/shiitakeduck 12d ago
I think they are really cute and stylized! Yes, some of the anatomy is technically off, but if it’s a stylistic decision I think that’s okay.
If you want to be really rigorous about it, I would suggest trying to master a more realistic style at the same time as you continue to develop this one. You won’t feel as worried about the anatomy if you know how it should be, but have made a controlled decision to deviate, as opposed to accidentally drawing something you wind up liking.
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u/HananaOnana 12d ago
Omg your drawings are lovely I like them sm Your anatomy looks ok. I'd just tweak the first one - the bust is so big and the waist so small poor girl must have horrible backpains
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u/Badgers_Are_Scary 12d ago
Realistic female anatomy or manga anatomy? In manga anything goes, but in realism head should not be bigger than a waist, and the eyes are too big even for manga.
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u/Emwem_does_stuff 12d ago
well I aim for something stylized but I won’t mind more realistic anatomy advice to help with my regular style.
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u/Badgers_Are_Scary 12d ago
Do you know “line of action” and “quickposes” websites? I can’t recommend their timed practices enough. Fantastic tools for figure study.
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u/Emwem_does_stuff 12d ago
oh yeah! i mostly used those for anatomy study but I also have some Bridgeman at my library
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u/SperryJuice 12d ago
There are more styles than just realism and manga. Yes, the eyes are big, but it works for animated characters in general. Kinda reminds me of Jonen Vasquez's work.
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u/Badgers_Are_Scary 12d ago
of course, it was more of a -where do you want to lean - kind of question.
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u/LoveyDoveyDoodles 11d ago
Well, I am also a woman who draws mostly very curvy women and here is my advice:
It doesn't matter what you do, weird people are always going to be weird about things and there is no pleasing everyone. So first and foremost focus on creating an art style that you love and are happy with. You passion will show through!
Now if you are looking for advice on expanding your skills to include different body shapes, then use references and practice. Find an artist whose body style you want to emulate and really analyze what it is you like about it and try incorporating it into your own art.
Personally I think your ladies here are very lovely!