Figure drawing early figure layout - How do you do it?

[Recluse]

Im wonderin how some of you start your figures when you're just sketching around. Like the basic body layout and 'skeleton' frame, stick figure, before you flesh the figure out, etc... That kind of thing.

I've tried a few different ways but nothing really sticks or works well with me :/
Maybe one of you has a technique that'll work better.

[acuna_read]

Ive only been doing life-drawing for a year, so maybe not gonna be helpful but i'll post anyway. When life drawing or for any obsevation i do this actually.

First of i get a starting point, normally its something that will grab you naturally, so a hand on a hip or a jutting out elbow etc, dont matter where. Ill get a few points put in by drawing straight lines(imaginary ones) that join up 2, 3, maybe 4 points.
Once ive got a few laid out i'll then sketch invisible lines in the air whilst looking at the subject, so i wave my pencil in an arc or something a few times, just to get a rough idea of the motion and distance, then ill whack that down onto the paper, using my previously drawn reference lines to try and keep proportion in check. I keep on adding new straight lines, and randomly waving consistently through my sketches, if youve done it right then the other bits just join up easily.
As I get better though I'm using less straight lines to define points and more waving in the air, I guess its drawing in my head.

[Recluse]

I'm talking more about the figure drawing you do when you create your own characters and stuff (maybe this is in the wrong forum :crosseyed ). Like a Catwoman character; how do some of you think out the pose, then what does your pre-fleshed out 'skeleton' layout for a basic female or male figure look like?

By skeleton I dont mean the actual skeleton, but just the stick and balls type of thing. (assuming theres even different styles on how to do it. I've seen only a few from various drawing books)

Sorry I wasnt clear

[Main Loop]

ron lemen's figure tutorial would probably help you

[Recluse]

Got a link? I tried searching for it but all I got was skin tones, hands and heads. :crosseyed

[Crunch]

well in character design i usually start with the torso or the main body mass and make sure that is right first....some start with the head and move quickly to the torso. if you know your anatomy well enough it doesnt matter where you start...marko can start with the pinky finger and everything will look right when he is done.

but i would love to see a very detailed step by step tutorial on figure drawing from life either in video or somthing from ron or someone. its a good idea...

[Darkside]

jep, that would be great.

I usually start with torso first, then legs and arms, finally the head. So you start with the big shapes.