The foot is basically a long wedge shape. It has two major points of articulation, the hingelike joint that connects the foot to the ankle and the joint that runs perpendicular to what are called the balls of one's feet. Most importantly, the heel extends back behind the leg. Avoid the mistake of making the leg and foot a simple angle, like a letter L.

From the top, the first toe is largest, and the others angle downward in size and placement. Notice how the tip of the little toe extends only as far as the base of the big toe. Also, pay attention to the instep — the area along the big toe side of the foot. It is not a straight line back to the heel — it curves inward and then back out.

The foot as seen from several angles

Imagining the Footprint

Most often, feet are drawn standing, walking, and running. This presents a much more complex challenge than drawing a foot in a side view or from below. One method for approaching a drawing with active feet is to imagine the footprints that will be left by the character. Once you're ready to start roughing in a character's feet, sketch his footprints first. Consider the perspective and angle they would be seen at if he were not present. It's an easy shape to draw — a circle for the heel and an oblong oval for the rest. Then, rough in a three-dimensional wedge, based on your knowledge of the foot from the side view. You now have a well-proportioned sketch to firm up.

Building feet from the footprint up