Before You Begin

• 1). Start by picking the character you want to draw. There is a great cast of X-Men to chose from, however, the big favorites (Cyclopes, Jean Gray, Storm, Wolverine) are great choices if you are just starting out because their shapes and uniforms are basic and easy to replicate.
  
  
• 2). Before you begin to sketch, write out some words that you associate with that character. For example, Wolverine is strong, forceful, rash and angry. Remember, when you are drawing a character, each part of the body has a chance to contribute something to your overall impression of them, and brainstorming these words ahead of time is a great way to get your mind set properly. For example, Wolverine’s neck should be wide and thick to convey his strength and brute force, while Jean Gray’s neck should be slender and graceful.
  
  
• 3). Go easy on yourself. Drawing is difficult, especially if you haven't tried a particular shape or figure before. Be prepared to do several drafts, erase and rework before you get it where you want it
  
  

X-Men Basics

• 1). After you have picked your model, start by lightly sketching their head. Depending on the character, keep jaw shape in mind. The female characters, like Storm and Jean Gray, will have thinner oval faces, while the men will have very square, angular jaws.
  
  
• 2). Once your basic full face shape is complete, measure its size from top to bottom. To make sure your body is in proportion, you will want it to be about seven head lengths long. Make a mark at the bottom of the page where that length ends, and use that as your guide.
  
  
• 3). From the neck down, begin to sketch the body. Remember the words you chose to describe your character.
  
  
• 4). No matter who you are sketching, all X-Men should have broad, square shoulders. They are a sign of confidence, power and might. To be the ideal width, make them one head length wide from the base of the neck out.
  
  
• 5). Concentrate on the torso. The specifics of the torso will also differ depending on the sex and personality of the character. In general, all X-Men will have broad upper chests that taper to a slender waistline.
  
  
• 6). Create powerful legs in a study stance. Regardless of gender, characters will also have strong legs that are positioned in a power-stance. Try drawing them with feet shoulder-width apart, one foot pointing forward off the paper, the other opening to the right or left slightly.
  
  

Male X-Men

• 1). With male X-Men like Cyclopes and Wolverine, draw big and lean muscles. Bulging biceps, rippling pectorals and strong calves are all good. Have fun with them--just try to keep the bulges in proportion, otherwise your characters will end up looking like bodybuilders gone wrong!
  
  
• 2). Draw the hands and feet so they're big and wide. Hips and the naughty bits should be drawn demurely--most fit men have smooth hip-lines that descend directly into thighs. There is also no need for anything more than a rounded “V” between the hips to convey gender.
  
  
• 3). Make the eyebrows thick, but lips should be small. Depending on the character, you might want to add hair on the back of the arms or other exposed patches of skin (like the chest, depending on the costume).
  
  
• 4). Make shoes and boots flat-soled.
  
  

Female X-Men

• 1). Make all shapes smooth, lean and slender. There can be LIGHT definition of arm muscles, but that is it--no bodybuilding women, please!
  
  
• 2). Draw torso/hips in the hourglass shape. The chest and rear should have some curves, but nothing indecent--mere hints of their sexuality, not billboards.
  
  
• 3). Draw eyebrows that are thin, curved and arched, and draw full lips. Ankles should be especially delicate, and shoes can either be flat or high-heeled.
  
  
• 4). Make sure their posture is powerful, but feminine. Using the shoulder-wide foot stance, add hands on the hips with shoulders at an A-line angle, torso curved concavely toward the back corner of the page. Legs should be drawn long and very lean.