Drawing a Simple Skeleton

By Mandy Theis Hallenius

You can draw a simple skeleton using big shapes.

What part of the

skeleton does the

oval represent?

Do you see how all of the small bones can be grouped together into one big shape?

What part of the

skeleton does the rectangle

represent?

Do you see how the unusual shape of the pelvis can be simplified into one big shape?

What part of the

skeleton does the

small oval represent?

Do you see how the head can be simplified into one big shape?

You can use a simple skeleton to help you draw people!

Let’s try to draw this woman using a

simple skeleton as a starting point.

Can you find an oval to represent the ribcage in this painting of Mrs.

Larz by Cecelia Beaux?

Can you draw an oval to represent

a ribcage?

Can you find an oval to represent the head in this painting of Mrs.

Larz by Cecelia Beaux?

Can you add a smaller oval to

represent a head in your drawing?

Can you find a rectangle to represent the pelvis in this painting

of Mrs. Larz by Cecelia Beaux?

Can you add a rectangle to represent a

pelvis in your drawing?

Which angle below looks the most like the angle of

the arm?

Can you add a skinny

rectangle that

represents the angle of

the arm?

The legs are hidden behind her dress. What angle do you think her closest leg could be?

Can you add a skinny

rectangle that

represents the closest

leg?

Where do you think the back leg

belongs?

Does it belong at

this angle?

No!

How do you know?

Her dress would

have to stick out on the

side if a leg was there.

Could the back leg belong here?

Yes!

Congratulations! You made a drawing of a person using a

simple skeleton!

BONUS

Look carefully at the

painting and see if you can

add more information

to your simple

skeleton!

Can you add• a neck?• hair?• shoulders?• a dress?• a hand?

National Core Arts Standards K-3VA:Cr1.2, VA:Cr2.1, VA:Cr3.1

Elementary Common Core StandardsCCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.G.A.1, K.G.A.2,

K.G.B.4, K.G.B.5, K.G.B.6, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.G.A.1,

1.G.A.2, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.G.A.1, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.G.A.1