How to sketch and draw feet


Having trouble perfecting your extremeties? Find out how to draw feet by following art tutor Jake Spicer's five step guide

Drawing feet can be difficult. With a padded bony heel, a long, arched set of metatarsals and flexible toes, the human foot is made up of a lot of varied elements, and it may seem like a challenge to put all these different parts together.

But like any other subject, the foot can be broken down into different forms before the details are added, no matter what perspective you approach it from. Read on to find out how to draw feet step by step.

1 Top plane

When viewed from above the plane of the top of the foot slopes away from the ankle down to the toes. Draw the overall shape that the toes will fit in first, and then divide that space up with lines between the toes.

Figure drawing feet

2 Inside plane

The inside plane of the foot is approximately triangular, running from the ankle to the big toe and heel. Use a rounded shape to establish the positions of the heel and ankle; the relationship between them is important for the stability of the figure.

Figure drawing feet

3 Underside

The underside of the foot is the kind of shape you see imprinted on the sand on beaches, the curves of this plane are more pronounced although it will still fit within a broad triangle.

Figure drawing feet

4 Angled view

You'll rarely see any single plane exclusively. Use the idea of the planes of the foot to break a complex shape down into simple elements before developing the foot drawing to more closely reflect what you see.

Figure drawing feet

5 Back of the foot

The calf muscles taper to the Achilles tendon, and that in turn creates a hard edge on the back of the foot as it connects to the heel. You can see the ankle protruding out to each side and the foot sticking out in front.

Figure drawing feet

How to draw a foot: try this exercise

Have a go at drawing feet by following the steps below. It should only take about 20 minutes.

Jake Spicer's guide to figure drawing feet

What you'll need:

  • Your feet
  • A mirror
  • Your preferred drawing medium
  • A sketchbook

Method:

1 Lean a mirror against a wall at floor height and sit, shoes and socks off, so that you can see your feet in the mirror.

2 Make five-minute studies of your feet in your sketchbook using the structures suggested above as a guide.

3 Try a top plane, inside plane and angled views of the foot. You'll need somebody else to pose to get a good view of the underside or back of the heel.

4 Repeat these studies as often as you can to improve your observational skills and develop a personal approach that suits your way of working.

Read more: how to sketch the head and shoulders, how to draw hands, nine ways to draw figures with confidence.

This article originally featured in Artists & Illustrators magazine. To get a copy delivered to your door every month or receive a digital edition, subscribe here.

The Author

Artists and Illustrators

Artists & Illustrators is Britain's most popular magazine for practising artists, whilst also being equally relevant to professionals, aspiring amateurs or to those who paint purely for pleasure. Full of step-by-step practical advice, readers' own work, exclusive features on famous names and expert product tests, this is the top publication for every artist seeking inspiration, whether they favour painting, drawing or printmaking.

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