How to Draw a Stickman

Some straightforward advice on how to draw stickmen.

Many, many people have asked me "how on earth do you do those pictures?" and I have taken time out from my busy life to assist this thirst for knowledge.

I know from my correspondence that some people can get depressed over their inability to draw even a simple stick man.

This is a great pity, since with practice and an eye for detail, it is possible for even a non professional artist to produce something that - while laughable and pathetic - is still basically a stick man.

So if you have tried and failed, or simply want to emulate one of the great art forms, please feel welcome in an internet sense to this article.

To the right is an example of the perfect stickman.

Deceptively simple to look at, the strong lines and anatomical correctness of this modern classic are shown in all their stick glory.

This minimalist giant of the art world is much admired by those who appreciate fine art and alcohol.

"How could I ever do something like that?" is something I hear very often.

"It's simple" I say, although this is a bit of a lie.

False modesty really, but when the questioner goes off to try it themselves I have the satisfaction of knowing how difficult they will find it.

People often send me their drawings for my artistic analysis.

I try to be positive, and give advice without ridicule.

However, some of them are so utterly rubbish that all I can do is ask whether they are suffering from some form of mental disability and if their carer knows they are on the internet.

I include some of the examples here - not to mock or be unpleasant about - but because it's funny seeing how delusional some people are about their artistic potential.

Hopefully you can laugh at these too, and through that shared laughter we may help these amateur artists discover something else they should be doing with their time.

I apologise for offending your artistic sensibilities with the examples above.

Believe it or not - they are not the worst!

I have been the recipient of stick drawings that are so bad I can't help but put them straight in the bin - after Facebooking them to add to the 'artists' humiliation of course.

Fair enough, some of them appear to be sent in by kids, but if a kid can't draw there's no point in encouraging it.

The sooner you tell them they are rubbish at something - the sooner they will find something else to do. Ridicule and abuse are valuable life lessons, and you'll save on crayon costs too.

I remember one of my neighbours children excitedly showing me a picture of what they said was a tree.

I had a clear choice.

Tell them a lie and say it looks good, that way misleading them into thinking that they have some semblance of talent. Or tell the truth.

"It's utter crap" I said.

At first they burst into tears and the father punched me - but I am happy to have set the child on its way towards a more productive use of their time.

There are only a few elements to the basic stickman.

I list them in bullet points for the hard of thinking.

• Head (one)
• Body (one)
• Legs (two)
• Arms (two)

Eyes and mouth are optional extras, to be attempted only when you are happy with the above.

Some clueless amateurs will draw hands and feet.

This is deluded nonsense and will get you a life ban from the StickMan Drawing Guild (prop. M.Ewbie)

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Most people can't achieve stickman perfection.

They can't manage the basics.

This is perfectly normal.

There are very few really talented people out there. I just got lucky I guess, although that's probably being a bit too modest.

By word of encouragement I suppose I should say "have a go and I hope you succeed", although I don't really mean it.

There's enough crap on the internet as it is.

I'll leave you with some of my finest work, which will hopefully put you off the idea.

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