Probably one of the most challenging drawing task is doing the Human Figure. Not my opinion, it was said by a drawing mentor when I was 11 years old. He said: "...it would be a shortcut if you study drawing human figures first before trying to draw other objects." He was a master Comics illustrator.
In the minds of real "artists by heart"figure is the foundation to serious art. No matter how you put clothing in a drawing, if the bare curves underneath are not skillfully sketched, then the drawing is weak.
Centuries had passed down a generation of great arts, nude men and women subjects, like the works of classical masters, nude images may offend but never withdrawn until today. During the Baroque period, Michelangelo's naked figures controversially shocked the ceiling of Sistine Chapel. Yet they remained up to now as powerful legacy.
Practically, in the beginning WE are all born NUDE! Sometimes I wonder what stirs the layman's mind when it comes to nudity. What if people simply don't mind wearing any clothes... (I could almost hear the violent reactions of the people from the arctic, haha :)
Of course, clothing has evolved from the past and made this "modern day sophistication". Let's not forget that FASHION is also an art.
There are those who learn without formalities. What I mean, some self-taught people could draw figures without meticulous calculations then arriving at a pleasing proportional sketch. That is an artist's eye. Actually if I could only say it straight without anyone disagreeing, there is no STANDARD in making drawings. Let nature guide the eye sight. Books are all written to guide the hobbyists. What is applied in books are the evolution of proportions as applied even in the past. The human body, as far as art is concerned, is an artistic creation --- has a symmetry and balance perfectly pre-shaped.
Of course, there are principles and techniques which could be developed with perseverance until such time the capability to draw becomes natural. Comic illustrators and fashion designers can do instant drawings in ink without erasures because of expertise and constant practice. I am not just saying it. I got acquainted with them and they inspired me.
The aim of this brief lecture is to make each details of the human figure easier to sketch and to help you apply it instantly. For the benefit of those who would like to have a quick idea, and the interest to have visual techniques in it, then this page is for you. The only rule to remember while reading this article: IF IT IS CONTRADICTORY TO WHAT YOU KNOW, THEN DO NOT APPLY MY CONCEPTS.
The Know-How
Did you know what fuzz a circle can do? A lot of people had a hard time just drawing a circle. Try to draw a it using a pencil. The first glance is frustrating and somewhat elliptical, filleted cube or flowery but never a perfect one! The reason is, most people WRITE when they draw, using the wrist as their PIVOT. The proper way of sketching is moving the whole elbow freely. Well, except of course if you are into details.
The lines must not be too solid. It must have some line-weight for pencil pressure. Though sometimes this is case to case basis. Even just drawing lines for figures, lights and shadow must be in mind. Drawing figures in bold solid unbroken line will only make it look like a stiff cartoon, too calligraphic, and a coloring book. See the proper strokes below. It does not sound so neat, but it is an effective way of giving expression to a figure. A lot of great artists have shown character in the way they apply messy strokes, which have characterized them distinctly one from the other.
Assume lighting direction. Shapes and contours come alive with proper application of lighting. A basic assumption is the 30 to 45-degree angle as shown. Use your instincts, observe the bumps and assume hi-lights.
Assume that the light bounces and gets reflected from object to object and forms a drama and expression in a drawing. Well, this is quite a "science" but even by observing the figure below or the objects in your surroundings, (say a cup on a table), a ray of reflected or bounced light could be seen at the opposite direction of the object.
Always imagine a solid drawing and not a 2-dimensional and flat one. Proper strokes and shading is important to this. One must have the proper understanding of solidity and perspective.
Figure Strokes - This kind of strokes works well with figure drawings effectively.
Apply the above shading and strokes to your figure sketches. If you want to try easier and interesting exercise on how objects form out of playing lines without emphasis on detail, please click this link.
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