While that one guy with the tall head was intentionally silly, I think I’m struggling most with proportions. I’m using a reference image for most of these, but none of the end results look much like the people in the photos. I’m also not using a grid as I’m doing this all with pen. I know I’ll eventually get it with practice, but is there anything specific I could try?
This sounds like great advice, but I don’t understand what you mean. Can you elaborate?
found this with keywords “drawing volume” ☞ Learning to see volume and applying it to your body drawings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsC4xbGiHTI
he explains it effectively