To help make the rough sketch go faster, I have my son pose for a photograph that will be used as a guide for the sketch.

Note:
That is a magic marker he is smoking.

The client requested the gambler to be somewhat of a "dandy," meaning he should look flamboyant, arrogant, and confident, so I had my son pose in a way that would communicate that look.

It is too early at this stage to worry about using an accurate costume, however, it is helpful to have the model wear clothing that allows the artist to see the anatomy clearly; to put it another way, to wear clothing that does not cover too much of the body. Simple props, like the hat and phony cigar shown here, can also be useful.