Look Thinner: Simple Art Tricks to Make Figures Appear Slimmer

If you’ve ever tried to draw a model and ended up with a broader silhouette, you’re not alone. A few easy visual tricks can change how a figure reads on the page, making it look leaner without altering the actual proportions. Below are practical tips you can start using right away.

1. Use Line Weight and Contour Wisely

Thinner shapes rely on clean, confident lines. Heavy outlines add weight, so pull back on line thickness around the waist and hips. Instead, draw light, delicate strokes for the sides of the torso and let the negative space do the work. A single, smooth line that follows the curve of a ribcage can create a flattering, elongated look.

2. Choose Poses that Elongate the Body

Angles matter. A side view or three‑quarter turn stretches the torso and hides the width of the shoulders. Ask your subject to tilt the hips slightly forward and push the shoulders back—this opens up the chest and narrows the waist. Even a subtle lean away from the camera can give a slimmer silhouette.

Don’t forget the feet. Pointing them outward or stacking them in a crossed stance adds vertical lines that draw the eye up, rather than spreading it across the hips.

3. Play with Perspective and Foreshortening

When you place the figure higher in the picture plane, the lower parts recede, shrinking the appearance of the legs. A low‑angle view can also make the torso look longer. Use simple perspective grids if you need to keep the scene believable while still slimming the subject.

4. Color Blocking and Contrast

Darker colors pull in, lighter colors push out. Dress your character in a dark top and a lighter bottom, or vice‑versa, to control where the eye lands. Avoid large, bold patterns on the mid‑section—they add visual bulk. Instead, use subtle textures or monochrome tones.

Background contrast works too. If the background is busy, the figure can look lost and wider. A simple, muted backdrop keeps focus on the silhouette and accentuates the slimming effect.

5. Streamline Clothing and Details

Clothing adds volume. Choose garments with vertical seams, narrow straps, or a V‑neck to elongate the torso. Avoid overly padded sleeves or wide belts around the waist—they create extra bulk. When drawing folds, keep them tight and close to the body; loose, billowy folds make a shape look larger.

Details like jewelry should be placed strategically. A long necklace or pendant draws the eye down, creating a lengthening line.

6. Final Polish: Check the Whole Silhouette

Step back and look at the full outline. If the silhouette reads as a clean, tall shape, you’ve succeeded. If any area spikes out, soften it with lighter lines or adjust the pose. The goal is a smooth contour that guides the viewer’s eye from top to bottom.

Try these tips on your next sketch or painting. Within a few attempts you’ll notice a big difference in how thin your figures appear, without changing the actual anatomy.