The 10 mistakes people make when posing characters

Plus: Katie and Adam discuss ArtGym (2 min video)

10 mistakes we’ve made when trying to pose characters (and how you can avoid them)

Imagine, you’ve come up with the perfect character, what they look like, the colours the accessories and costume the proportions, but somehow they look lifeless and stiff.

You might be making one or more of these mistakes… and we want to help you fix them!

Here are 10 posing mistakes we’ve spotted in our own work and others over the years!

1. No Line of Action

Every strong pose begins with a clear, dynamic line of action. When illustrators skip this step, the result is often a stiff or lifeless figure, no matter how well it’s rendered.

2. Stiff or Symmetrical Poses

A straight-on stance or mirrored limbs might feel “safe,” but they often kill movement and flow. Realistic, engaging poses rely on asymmetry and a sense of energy.

3. Overcomplicated Silhouette

A good pose should be readable in silhouette. When the outline becomes confusin due to tangled limbs or awkward angles. Without clarity the viewer has to work harder to understand what’s happening.

4. Floating Limbs and Missing Weight

Characters need to feel grounded in space. When feet don’t connect with the floor or weight isn’t properly shifted, the pose looks like it’s floating or detached from the environment.

5. No Spine, Hips, and Shoulders Connection

The relationship between these core body parts adds life to a pose. Ignoring how they tilt, twist, or counterbalance each other leads to unnatural, rigid characters.

6. Hands and Feet as Afterthoughts

These extremities are crucial to gesture, expression, and character. When they’re hidden, stiff, or vague, the whole pose can lose impact—even if the rest is well done.

7. Projecting the Artist’s Doubts

Artists often default to emotionally flat poses without realizing it—especially when they’re unsure how the character feels. This results in characters who look passive, uninvested, or disconnected from the scene.

8. Overposing

Not every pose needs to be acrobatic or intense. Adding unnecessary twists, angles, or gestures just for visual flair can distract from the character’s emotion or the clarity of the action.

9. Ignoring Character Consistency

A pose might look technically solid, but if it doesn’t match the character’s personality or behavior, it breaks the illusion. For example, a quiet, cautious character shouldn’t suddenly strike a bold, commanding pose—unless there’s a strong narrative reason. Learn more about this in our Character Consistency workshop.

10. Forgetting to Tell a Story

Every pose should communicate something; emotion, intent, reaction, or relationship. A pose without purpose is just a body in space. Great posing connects the viewer to the moment and makes the character feel alive.

Let’s fix it!

In our upcoming workshop, Katie and I will help you fix ALL these mistakes or avoid making them in the first place. We’re going to use sports as an excuse to give your characters dynamic poses, bring your own characters or use one of the easy to draw characters we’ll be handing out.

(Makes a great Mother’s Day gift for yourself, or someone you love)

Already Subscribed? RSVP for out May 8th Session if you’re already here.

Before you go…

After our last Artgym, Katie and I spent 2 minutes discussing this upcoming session. We have it on video if you wanted to see that:

Click the Recording link and use this passcode: T=z*RB0p (it’s a good way to meet your instructors if you haven’t met them before)