Any good resources or tips for drawing figures?

[bif]

I'm absolutely horrible at drawing/painting humans. I try to add silhouettes to my paintings and they end up looking like they were done by a five-year old. So I end up painting over them. I've seen paintings where with a few simple brushstrokes the artist adds figures. Any help would be appreciated. I know there are websites and tutorials out there. I just haven't been able to locate them.

[ColinC]

1. I don't have any tips but I'm bookmarking this to see what people say

Thanks for the question!

[fierywoman]

2. It depends how realistic or (semi) abstract your work is --- for a loose idea:

If you want to be more realistic, look up the usual proportions somewhere (x amount of heads per length of body, the elbow breaks at --- the waist is --- the legs are x proportion to -- etc.) (obviously, I haven't memorized them! )

[bif]

3. Wow! That was exactly what I was looking for!

Thank you so much! He makes it look so simple. Now I know how I'm going to spend my afternoon!

[fierywoman]

4. I'm so very pleased for you -- have lotsa fun !!!