Charcoal Figure Drawing from the Back – Timelapse Study

This week, I posted a new charcoal figure drawing timelapse on my YouTube channel. It’s a study of the male back, drawn entirely from scratch using a constructive approach to anatomy—and compressed into just 4 minutes and 30 seconds.

About the Drawing

What makes this piece different from a typical drawing is the construction process I used. I began by mapping out average male proportions, then built the figure from the inside out:

• First laying in the spine, ribcage, and pelvis,

• Then adding major muscle groups on top,

The final piece appears for a few seconds at the end of the video as a still frame so you can see the finished result.

Why Constructive Figure Drawing?

As much as I love observational drawing, I’ve found that constructive drawing—starting with a basic structure and building the figure logically—helps strengthen anatomical understanding and gives you the tools to potentially invent figures, if you want to.

It’s a technique I’m continuing to develop and one I plan to include in my upcoming charcoal drawing course, which will teach you how to work from photo references step by step.

If You're Learning to Draw

If you’re an art student, beginner, or just want to improve your figure drawing skills, I hope this video gives you insight into how I approach anatomy with charcoal. Watching timelapses can be helpful not only for seeing how an artist works, but also for noticing the flow, pacing, and decision-making behind the marks.

If you're interested in learning more, I’m developing a course that starts with basic forms and builds toward fully realised charcoal figure drawings like this one. Be sure to sign up for my mailing list or subscribe on YouTube to stay in the loop!

Thanks so much for reading!