Figure sketching quick start guide for busy professionals 👇
✍️ Do you love to sketch, draw and paint realistic portraits and figures but are confused by the hundreds of Youtube tutorials? Does realistic drawing seem like a magical skill that only some are luck to be born with?
This channel is for working adults and busy professionals who want to see visible progress in realistic drawing but have limited time.
In this channel, you will see:
- step by step systems, methods and processes + RIGHT SEQUENCE that produces noticeable progress
- fun, effective exercise that you can do anywhere and anytime (sometimes in 5 minutes or less).
The ability to draw realistic portraits and figures are not a magical skills that only some are lucky to be born with. It is a set of learnable skills and is attainable for you.
If you're new to me, subscribe to my free email newsletter and I will personally email you cool resources like this Figure Drawing Cheatsheet here: shorturl.at/X0dRZ
DRAW with Chris
Can you really improve your drawing skills while working full time and raising a family?
Koen is proof that you can.
Like many of my students, drawing is not his full-time job. He has his career, a family, and a busy life.
But he also has a serious passion for realistic drawing.
Koen already had ability and the willingness to work. What he needed was guidance, structure, and a clear path forward.
After working together, his skills and confidence grew dramatically. More importantly, he now has a sustainable practice he can return to, even with a busy schedule.
You don't need to quit your job, disappear into an art school for four years, or draw eight hours a day to make meaningful progress. 🙂
You do need the right skills, the right sequence, and a clear plan for practice.
If you're a busy professional who wants to take realistic figure and portrait drawing seriously, my Figure Drawing Masterclass was designed for you.
Learn more about the Figure Drawing Masterclass here:
👉 bit.ly/4wrgswG
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 192
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DRAW with Chris
What would happen if you combined serious art training with an unforgettable trip to Thailand? 🇹🇭✏️
That's the idea behind Realism in Paradise, my upcoming 5-day artist retreat in Bangkok.
You'll study the timeless principles of realistic drawing that have been passed down through the atelier tradition, with plenty of hands-on instruction, demonstrations, and personalized over-the-shoulder feedback.
And when we're not drawing, you'll have the chance to experience Bangkok, Thai food, temples, markets, and the culture that makes Thailand such a special place to visit.
🎬 Watch the trailer here:
https://youtu.be/bOl3UESOaAw
If the idea of combining artistic growth + travel + a great group of fellow artists sounds exciting, take a look at the retreat:
👉 www.drawwithchris.com/art-retreat2027
I hope to see you in Bangkok!
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 5
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DRAW with Chris
Why do some images just feel beautiful?
In this episode of The Expert Eye, I break down a still from In the Mood for Love and show you the visual decisions I see behind its beauty and emotional impact.
More importantly, I’ll show you how these same ideas can improve your own realistic drawings, composition, and visual storytelling.
🎬 Watch the episode: https://youtu.be/PSEZALOl46g?si=2b8He...
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 2
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DRAW with Chris
Natasza had the passion and work ethic. What she needed was the right guidance and structure.
After working together, her drawing skills and confidence transformed. Today, she’s creating beautiful work she’s proud of and seeing new opportunities open up.
Congratulations, Natasza. You earned it! 👏
If you want to build your realistic portrait and figure drawing skills with the same timeless lessons and structured approach, check out my Portrait & Figure Drawing Masterclass.
👉 Learn more about the Masterclass here: bit.ly/4wrgswG
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 132
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DRAW with Chris
A simple shape can look surprisingly 3D with just one small change.
In this episode, I show you how adding corners and “box logic” can turn flat shapes into forms that feel solid and three-dimensional.
It’s one of those simple ideas that can completely change the way you see and construct figures.
👉 Watch the episode: https://youtu.be/GXYRww78sIg?si=BW-0m...
1 month ago | [YT] | 18
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DRAW with Chris
Only have 5 minutes to practice drawing? ✏️
You don't need hours of free time to start improving at realistic drawing.
In this first episode of my new 5 Minutes a Day series, I’m showing you one of the simplest exercises I use to build the foundation for more advanced drawing:
Freehand perspective boxes.
It looks basic… but don’t underestimate it. This simple exercise helped me develop the perspective skills I needed for professional illustration, figures, portraits, and concept art.
If you're a busy professional who loves realistic drawing, give it a try.
👉 Watch the new episode and practice along with me.
What would you like to learn to draw in just 5 minutes a day?
1 month ago | [YT] | 38
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DRAW with Chris
I expected to learn painting techniques.
Instead, I walked away with three lessons that reignited my passion for art and changed the way I approach every drawing and painting.
Come behind the scenes of Nathan Fowkes' Thailand workshop with me.
🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/PSEZALOl46g?si=2b8He...
1 month ago | [YT] | 10
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DRAW with Chris
For years, figure proportions confused me.
Every book had a different system.
Every instructor had a different method.
I kept asking myself:
"Which one am I actually supposed to use?"
Eventually I stopped trying to memorize charts and developed a much simpler model that I now use in almost every figure sketch.
It's faster, easier to remember, and helps me spot proportion mistakes almost instantly.
In this week's episode of Skills That Pay the Bills, I'm sharing that system with you.
If you've ever struggled with figures that look awkward or "just don't feel right," I think this lesson will help.
▶️ Watch here:
https://youtu.be/PSEZALOl46g?si=2b8He...
PS: What's the hardest part of figure drawing for you right now?
Proportions
Anatomy
Gesture
Shading
Something else?
Comment below with your biggest challenge now.
1 month ago | [YT] | 37
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DRAW with Chris
Most artists think realistic drawing is about adding more anatomy and more detail.
My approach is different.
One of the biggest breakthroughs in my own work came when I stopped asking, "What muscle is this?" and started asking, "What simple shape best suggests the body?"
That one shift made my drawings faster, clearer, and much more believable.
In this episode of Skills That Pay the Bills, I'll show you the simple process I use to turn a few landmarks into shapes that feel real.
▶️ Watch here: https://youtu.be/PSEZALOl46g?si=2b8He...
1 month ago | [YT] | 42
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DRAW with Chris
How do you go from a working professional full of self doubt to a skilled artist?
Most think it's because of talent or luck, but more often, it's having good information, the right process, guidance and consistent practice.
Corey's transformation is a great example.
As a busy creative director in his field, he put in the work, applied every critique, and steadily transformed both his skills and his confidence.
If you're ready to make faster progress in realistic portrait and figure drawing, my Figure & Portrait Drawing Masterclass teaches the same principles and structured process that helped Corey.
Learn more here:
bit.ly/4wrgswG
2 months ago | [YT] | 123
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