Drawing Demo: Leg Shapes George Bridgman Reference
As a warm-up, draw this side view of a leg, based off an illustration by George Bridgman.
Of note in this illustration are the beautiful shapes created by the leg, and the three rhythm lines, which help place things that are aligned against these rhythm lines correctly.
See this article for more on rhythm lines.
When you draw it a few times, you start to be able to draw it from memory. Try changing proportions, creating long thin legs or short thick legs. It will likely still look good, as long as the relations to the rhythm lines stay intact.
Draw the front of the foot, then the front of the lower leg. Mind the angle the lower leg makes! It doesn't go straight up.
Draw the back of the lower leg. Make sure the width is okay, not too wide or too thin.
Notice this part of one of the rhythm lines, and how the kneecap aligns to it.
Note how thes parts of two rhythm lines align the lower and upper leg.
Draw the front of the upper leg leaning forward, and then the back of the upper leg straight down and along one of the rhythm lines.
Note how these two rhythm lines align the upper legs to the lower body. Draw the lower body as indicated.
Draw this a few times, and then try your hand at drawing from memory. Feel free to change proportions but make sure the rhythm line relations stay intact.
You can also draw along with this YouTube Video:
