Discover contemporary nude figure drawings for sale on Rise Art. Our collection has been carefully curated to showcase the best works from emerging artists. While some approach nude drawings as a study of human anatomy, others focus on the interplay between light and shadow and emotive energy of the body.
Begin or continue your art collecting journey by having a look at our selection of charcoal nude drawings, which use the depth of the medium to create raw, emotive portraits.
For a splash of colour or deep, fluid lines, explore our selection of nude drawings made in ink, which are inspired by traditions of Chinese inkbrush paintings.
Lastly, expressive depth and sharp contrast can be found in our collection of pastel nude drawings. The pastel medium's soft texture and delicate hues blend seamlessly, capturing subtle emotions and creating atmospheric, impressionistic drawings.
Famous Nude Drawings
The history of nude drawing can be traced back to ancient times, when the human body was studied for both artistic and anatomical purposes. Hand-drawn nude sketches and art were highly respected as they aligned with classical ideals of beauty and perfection of the body.
Later, nude drawing became central to modern art. In the 19th century, artists such as Gustave Courbet created detailed studies of the human body, such as his Reclining Nude (1862), exploring naturalism and realism. Edgar Degas also focused on the female form in intimate, everyday poses, as seen in After the Bath (1890).
In the early 20th century, Egon Schiele revolutionised nude drawing with his raw, expressive style. His notorious artworks distort the body to convey complex psychological intensity. Schiele’s nudes often appear emaciated, highlighting vulnerability and emotional depth. You can find some rare Schiele prints, such as the tender Portrait of Gerti Schiele on Rise Art.
Pablo Picasso also experimented with abstraction in works like Nude Woman (1910), where he fragmented the body, blending Cubism with the naked body. These modernist approaches redefined traditional notions of beauty, making nude drawing an exploration of both form and gender conventions.
Nude drawings for sale on Rise Art
Not sure where to start? Richard Storey’s primary subject is the nude figure. His interest lies in capturing both tender stillness and taut muscles in motion. His technique for capturing movement involves using multiple drawings, layered to form a story, such as in Curls (2021), in which a complex bend of the body is delicately rendered.
By contrast, emerging artist Harry Boudchicha takes a softer approach, using crayon to softly form the nude body. His series of sleeping women, such as Dessin nu grand format 3 (2021) are dreamlike compositions in which the resting body floats gently across the canvas.
For a more abstract approach, consider the work of American artist Randy Klinger. His series of psychedelic self-portraits uses the body to reveal raw emotion. Self portrait 55 (2021), sees the artist distorted in a rippled forest, strikingly rendered completely in pencil.
You can explore more affordable nude life drawings by emerging artists and find out more in our Guide to Drawings.
