The most rewarding thing about art is not the pursuit of fame and success, but the joy of self expression. Being artistic allows one to set their mind free though certain aspects can be a bit challenging such as grasping certain techniques. For those individuals interested in learning, there are a few tips that can make doing male and female nude drawings easier.

All through the history of art, one prominent feature has been the human figure. It can be difficult for many people to sketch these images in such a way as to achieve perfect proportions because man's form is considered to be among the more complex because when speaking of the ideal body, symmetry is key with both sides being balanced identically and the torso and limb bones being specific lengths in comparison to each other. These ratios can have variations based on influences like gender, age, ethnic background and genetic factors.

The first thing to be decided is the figure's positioning, which will give an idea of the best orientation for the paper. An important thing to remember is to use the positive space of the composition to one's best advantage. Generally, a standing figure will be more appropriately done using portrait mode, while a prone body would benefit by being drawn in landscape.

In sketching, making alterations to certain proportions may lead to the subject looking somewhat disfigured, though it also has the potential to represent individuality. This is particularly true of the human form as it is designed very specifically. There is a distinct indication in how the torso, head, pelvis, shoulders, feet, hands, and limbs all come together.

When doing the human form, it is a good idea to use an artist's mannequin as a guide as it is articulated and can be posed. This is a handy tool for understanding how to make an outline from geometric shapes, such as an oval for the head, rectangular torso and elliptical limbs. Other key factors such as joint placement and movement are also demonstrated by the model.

Gender can be a very important factor in the figurative art form. A detailed study of the human anatomy will show that physique of men is generally quite different than that of women. Some of the more noticeable variations appear in the areas of the breasts, waist and buttocks, as a woman tends to more curvaceous than a man and have softer features.

When time comes to add the details such as the muscular formation in the triceps, biceps, abdomen, forearms, chest, calves and thighs will be quite different based on the gender of a subject. Even when toned, a woman's definition tends to be somewhat less pronounce than that on a man, which is where the gentle femininity comes through. Shading is also used to bring out intricacies though it is important to consider how the light source provides depth through illumination and shadow.

The very basis of human anatomy is incredibly artful and extremely expressive. The evidence is clear not only in how the body is put together, but in the range of variations between masculine and feminine figures as far as tone, shape and definition are concerned. Remembering a couple of key fundamentals can help a person improve their abilities and grow more adept at creating art.