Popping in quick with a little drawing tip… when illustrating a character who’s walking, pay attention to how you position their arms and legs.

It’s not unusual to see artist just starting out drawing the arm and leg of the same side in the same movement. What do I mean? I mean the right arm+right leg are shown moving forward while left arm+left leg are pushed back. While the body can move in this manner, it’s a little awkward. Try it. You have to think and concentrate to do it. You’ll also notice that your hips pivot sharper and your knees are a little more straight and locked. You also don’t tend to move as quickly.

For a more fluid walk cycle, try drawing the opposite limbs moving together… right arm+left leg forward while the left arm+right leg are pushed back. This allows your hips to rock in a comfortable, half-circle motion, your balance/posture to be maintained, and speed to be achieved.

For additional emphasis, try adding a little swing to the shoulders and (especially for women) the hips. Enjoy!

“Well, Art is Art, isn’t it? Still, on the other hand, water is water. And east is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce, they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Now, you tell me what you know.”
– Groucho Marx