Give Your Stick Figure Some Swag
You don't have to create incredibly detailed drawings to capture attitude and emotion. Stick Sketch School shows you how to add some serious swag to your stick figure sketches.
The most effective stick figures can speak volumes without uttering a single word. They display their voice just by the way they look and pose. So, now that you’ve become familiar with the parts of the stick body, it’s time to let your stick bodies do the talking!
Stick figures can be moody, expressive, and rowdy. They have a lot to say, but not always a lot of detail or space to say it. In this chapter, we’ll explore the art of conveying some different attitudes using simple and subtle body poses. As we look at these different poses, we’ll also practice the art of “reading between the lines” by trying to interpret what messages the poses are trying to convey. In each lesson, you’ll have the opportunity to write captions or thought bubbles for stick figures displaying a variety of messages through body language.
Okay, are you ready? Let’s start your crash course in stick figure body language.
Copping an Attitude: How a Little Attitude Can Go a Long Way
Whether sweet or sassy, stick figures just love to show off their attitude! It’s in their nature. And as you draw them, they can express your attitude, too!
So what does your attitude look like? Whatever it might be, it can be expressed in many different forms of stick body language. It can be a simple show of confidence, perhaps by standing tall and proud with chin up and a confident smile. Or it can take on a sarcastic feel with a roll of the eyes or a crossing of the arms. And if you really want to turn up the heat, try a tough face with an indignant look and the back turned away! Now that’s what we refer to as some serious rude-a-tude! Talk to the hand because this stick is in your face!
As you ponder different attitudes, check out these stick figures below. Take note of their uniquely shaped postures, their hand placement, and, of course, their faces and eyes.
Now let’s practice the art of interpretation and bring these characters to life! Write a fun caption or message in each blank thought bubble below that you feel captures the stick figure's attitude and pose. Now, I’m sure you’ve copped an attitude at one time or another, so let’s use your own words as inspiration here to give these characters a voice. What might they be saying? Who might they be speaking to? Give these stick figures a piece of your mind!
A Fraction of Attraction: Creating Stick Figures that Draw You In
The art of attraction is a highly delicate dance. One wrong move can mean the difference between getting a phone number or getting a slap across the face! Subtlety is the true key here, because if you’re attracted to someone, you want to let them know without scaring them away. A simple, well- timed batting of the eyes and a sly smirk or smile can be enough to send another stick figure head over heels with desire.
So are you ready to unlock the secrets of desire? Take a look at some of our flirty figures below. Pay special attention to things like sly eyes, shy smiles, subtle hand gestures, or even a stick figure playing with his or her hair! Notice how these elements really send out the “vibe” without saying a single word. Are you feeling it?
Now try to imagine what each stick figure is trying to say and fill in the blank thought bubbles below with your best pickup lines. Try some that are subtle and try some that are over the top! Feel free to let your friends and significant others join in the fun!
Tough and Sticked Off: A Tough Look at Anger Management
Now that we’ve explored the language of attraction, let’s head in the opposite direction and look at the language of repulsion. In this mad, mad world of stick figures, anger is a rich and valuable emotion that not only demonstrates dissatisfaction, but also serves as a warning for others: watch out or stay away! So how does this feeling manifest into artistic body language? First, create angry eyes with “V”-shaped eyebrows, and then add in a giant mouth full of gritted teeth for added anger. (And note, the bigger the mouth and teeth, the angrier the feel). But anger isn’t only in the face, it extends to the limbs where we draw clenched fists with a simple rectangle in place of hands. And finally, there’s no missing that aggressive stance that practically dares anyone to get in the way. We accomplish this by drawing the body or torso leaning forward.
Check out some of the angry characters below. Note the body posture and the facial expressions we mentioned above. What is it about these stick figures that tell you they are ticked off and looking for trouble? Let’s pretend they are angry about something specific like getting a ticket, being rejected, or losing a game, and fill in the blank thought bubbles with an angry caption or message to match.
Stylin' and Profilin': Hints to Creating a Little Confidence and Swagger
You can’t always explain it, but when someone is confident, you just know it. Many times you can see it in the way they present themselves. We call it swagger, and as we try to infuse our stick figures with some swagger power, it helps to try and imagine what makes them so confident. Knowing why will help you draw it!
No matter the source of confidence, it is key to show off that source as much as possible by featuring it prominently in your art. For example, if a stick figure has confidence in his or her looks, then show her brushing her hair or posing in flattering positions that best show off her attributes.
If a character is confident in his or her physical abilities, like an athlete or superhero, perhaps you can illustrate him flexing his muscles or standing in a physically intimidating pose. And finally, if a stick figure gets his confidence from a material possession, then you definitely need to sketch them posing in a way that shows off the object as much as possible. Like a stick chick flashing a diamond ring, her hand waving dramatically in the air. Or a stick dude leaning up against his flashy new car or hiding behind a sweet pair of shades.
