Figure sketching holds an irreplaceable position in Chinese visual arts. From figure copying or live sketching in the supplementary art examinations for junior and senior high school students to figure sketching in university art programs, figure sketching has consistently served as a core medium within the discipline of fine arts, embodying the integration of formal competence and spiritual expression. Current research on figure sketching predominantly focuses on technical expression, yet lacks systematic analyses of the interrelationships between theme, spirit, form, and contour—from internal to external dimensions. This study employs four core dimensions—contour, form, theme, and spirit—to elucidate the formal principles, artistic expressive logic, and aesthetic value of figure sketching. The research methodology includes literature review, case analysis, and formal deconstruction. Drawing on eight years of systematic study at an art academy, four years of teaching practice in higher education institutions, and over a decade of creative experience, this paper posits that contour defines the boundaries of form, form captures the essence of space, theme constitutes the core of expression, and spirit represents the soul of art. These four elements progress hierarchically and mutually reinforce each other, collectively forming a complete artistic framework for figure sketching.