Last Updated on November 17, 2023 by Dee
Transform your figure drawing skills with our handpicked collection of 18 free sitting poses, perfect for artists seeking fresh inspiration. From relaxed lounges to dynamic seated positions, each reference is designed to offer a new perspective on capturing the human form.
Whether you’re a beginner practicing your craft or an experienced artist refining your technique, these sitting poses are invaluable for understanding posture, balance, and proportion. Ideal for sketching sessions or detailed studies, these references are your go-to for adding depth and realism to your seated figure drawings.
Let’s get seated and start sketching!
Sitting Pose Reference Pics
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It can be difficult to find a full-body reference photo for drawing base poses to practice figure drawing and practice gesture drawing..
You want to look for an accurate and inspiring pose reference -if you want to draw someone sitting, you need to make sure you have an excellent action pose reference or anatomy drawing reference.
It can also be challenging to come up with ideas for drawing people.
Often, stock photos feature unrealistic positions or bland expressions and aren’t great for gesture drawing or other drawing references.
However, a few clicks of the mouse on your computer can reveal a wealth of high-quality reference pics of people in various poses, including sitting on floor reference pics.
For example, Posemaniacs.com offers a comprehensive database of pose reference images, categorized by type and gender.
All the photo references I have collected come from my Canva Pro account for this blog post!
18 Awesome Sitting Poses Reference
How to Draw Sitting Poses?
When learning how to draw people, one of the most challenging things can be getting the proportions and perspective right.
This is especially true when sketching a sitting pose, side view reference drawing, or other general poses of the human form. However, it is possible to produce realistic and vibrant drawings with practice.
Consider me your virtual instructor: you will see how I break down the drawing process into simple steps in the pictures.
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Female Sitting Pose Examples
Man Sitting Pose Examples (man drawing reference)
[15 x Male Poses Drawing Reference: How to Draw Dynamic Poses]
Gender Neutral Figures in Sitting Poses
The first step is to sketch out the basic shapes of the person. This should include the head, spine, joints, arms, legs, hands, and feet. You can see I have drawn this basic form in pink as my first step.
Once you have the basic elements in place, you can start fleshing out the body and adding bulk. This is the second step in the sitting figure drawings I have completed.
After this step, start refining the form and erase the basic shapes. At this point, you can refine the hands, feet, fingers, and toes, and also the details such as draw eyes, nose, mouth, and hair.
Once you have completed this step, you can start working on the clothing (if there is any).
Remember to add folds and wrinkles to create a sense of movement and depth. Finally, add any background details that you wish.
Related Article: Learn How to Start Drawing – 22 Easy Tips to Get you Started!
Other drawing ideas to try…
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, these cool drawing ideas will get your creative juices flowing.
To start, look for action poses (for example, drawing a person holding a staff reference) or experiment with drawing with only straight lines to create a more geometric piece.
For those looking to draw cute things, there are plenty of cute drawings to explore, from cartoon characters to adorable animals.
Explore using other poses and look for kneeling pose drawing references, which can add depth and dimension to your art.
Observations on sketching sitting poses.
One of the most challenging things about drawing a seated figure is capturing the sense of weight and mass.
The human body is surprisingly heavy; when we sit, that weight is concentrated in a small area.
As a result, capturing the sense of a person’s bulk can be challenging without making them look squat and misshapen.
How do you draw a person sitting in profile?
To draw a person sitting in profile, start by sketching a basic outline of the figure (Use a straight line for the spine and connecting the joints: these will vary from a vertical line, horizontal line or diagonals).
Then, add details such as the person’s hairstyle, facial features, and clothing.
You can also check out these videos.
To give the figure more dimension, add shadows and highlights.
Finally, use an eraser to clean up any final lines you don’t want in the final drawing.
How do you draw a Girl in a sitting pose?
When sketching children, there are certain things to bear in mind. Children are shorter than adults, with narrower shoulders and hips. They also have larger heads in proportion to their bodies.
To draw a girl in a sitting pose, start by sketching out the basic shapes of the figure: head, joints, arms, legs, spine, feet, and hands. Then, add details such as the person’s hairstyle, facial features, and clothing.
To give the figure more dimension, add shadows and highlights. Finally, use an eraser to clean up any lines you don’t want in the final piece.
[Related Article: 18 Standing Poses Reference: How to Draw the Human Figure in a Standing Position]
Sketching the human figure is a great way to improve your drawing skills!
Drawing the human figure is a classic exercise for artists of all skill levels. Not only does it help to improve your observational skills, but it can also be a relaxing and meditative experience.
When sketching the seated figure, you have the opportunity to capture a variety of different poses and expressions.
You can also experiment with different mediums, such as charcoal or pastels.
In addition, sketching the seated figure is a great way to practice foreshortening or the technique of depicting an object as it appears when viewed from an angle.
[Related Article: How to Trace on Procreate]
Where can I get pose references for drawing?
When it comes to finding pose references for drawing, you can use several different sources for drawing.
One option is to search for images online. Several websites offer royalty-free photos that can be used for art projects.
My favorite sites are Unsplash.com and Pexels.com. I also have a Canva Pro account, and all the photos above come from there!
You can also take your own photos or ask a friend to pose for you.
Related Article: 21 Action Poses for Dynamic Figure Drawing
4 People drawing base
By taking advantage of these different resources, you will be sure to find the pose references that you need to create your next masterpiece.
How do you reference using drawings?
There are a few different ways to reference images when creating a drawing. One common method is to use a lightbox.
Use a lightbox
A lightbox is a piece of equipment that allows you to trace your figure onto a top sheet of paper, and it’s surprisingly cheap!
Check out my article on light boxes…10 Best Artists Light Boxes: Why You Need One, and How to Choose the Right One For Your Needs.
Use the grid method.
You can also use the grid method. The grid method involves drawing a grid over your reference image and then drawing a corresponding grid on your paper.
You can then sketch the image one square at a time until the entire image is transferred onto your paper.
Sketch your image freehand.
If you feel confident, you can also try sketching your poses freehand. This method involves looking at your reference image and sketching it without tracing or using a grid.
While this method is more challenging, seeing your finished product can be rewarding.
Check out this great video on how to draw a manga girl in a sitting pose…
[Related Article: Among us Drawing | How to draw among us imposter]
Conclusion
These sitting drawing reference poses should help if you’re looking for inspiration or a starting point.
Take some time to practice them and see how they work for you; you may find that incorporating seated poses into your drawings gives them an extra bit of life.
And who knows? You might even start enjoying drawing from life a little more!
Look no further if you’re looking for some sitting drawing reference poses! I
n this blog post, I’ve compiled 18 pictures of people in different sitting positions.
This should help get you started with your sketching. I’ve also included a few tips on how to improve your seated sketches.
If you’re looking for side profile drawing reference check out this article.
Other articles you may enjoy…
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11 Anime Pose Reference Images to Improve Your Art
Looking for things to draw on your hand? 50 Easy drawing ideas
What is the best drawing book? 11 Top How to Draw Books
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