Complex human forms can sometimes seem like a big challenge for the artist. Like any task, it becomes more manageable if you break it down into ‘bite-sized’ pieces rather than trying to ‘swallow it whole. To deal with figure cool drawings – sometimes called ‘life drawing’ – we will sometimes have an overview looking at the aspects of drawing the whole figure and sometimes looking at drawing parts of the body.
Over time, practice in all of these areas together, and you will find yourself meeting any pose with confidence.
Learning to draw a naked model in a life drawing session is ideal. But if it’s not reasonable, don’t despair. You can still learn to draw a figure very well without a model. You will discover that friends or family can be comfortable wearing sportswear. Any drawing problems (observation, foreshortening, proportion) you see in a nude model can equally explore by drawing arms and legs.
For best results, work consistently, practice daily when reading, secure notes in your sketchbook to suggest what will work. When you are preparing to move on, go back and face the next exercise. Remember, you can’t learn to draw just by reading about it! You have to do this.
First, let’s look at the essential head and body dimensions and practice sketching them.
Looking At Percentages
Find out the average size of a human figure. The first page describes the traditional measurements, while the second page shows how to measure the model using the ‘thumb and pencil’ method.
Homework
Once you’ve read the article thoroughly, suggest a friend to ‘pose’ for you – the dress is neat!
And make a sketch, using the method of thumb and pencil to find out how many heads it has and marking the main points in the figure. You can use a mirror, holding a sketchbook in one arm, if everyone is too busy! Try sketching some simple stick figures using circles and ovals, using the proportions described.
Drawing Body Parts
When starting with figure drawing ideas, artists had to draw from the cast – one foot, one hand, one face – before being allowed to work on an accurate figure. A great deal of time was spent learning the small details. You may be keen to tackle the big drama of figure learning. But spending time working on the information will perform your basic drawings more successful. This is particularly useful for students with access to a life class-the time spent working on the hands and feet when away from class will allow you to get maximum value. Out of time with your model.
Human Head Structure
Learn how to draw classic human head measurements. Everyone is a little bit diverse, but you need to gain confidence in the basic structure before you meet detail.
Homework
Perform making heads using the method shown. Don’t get too involved in detail. Just work on creating a three-dimensional nose and placing the eyes and mouth in the correct alignment with the plane of the face.
Learn to Draw Hands
The difficulty and mobility of the hands can perform a daunting subject, often the most clumsily drawn part of figure 3d drawing. Read this lesson for a simplified hand drawing technique. Spend a lot of time practicing the hands – you have your own to practice with!
How to Draw Eyes
Students in the Master’s studio spend hours (when not carefully grinding pigments) doing eye studies. Practice drawing pairs of eyes, especially at an angle, making sure to align them correctly with the face.
Learn to Draw Hair
Hair is an integral part of a person, and poor hair handling reduces a healthy-drawn figure. This tutorial focuses on highly detailed pencil drawing, but the principle of looking at dark and light is equally smooth when touched quickly or when using charcoal. Try it and see.
Source: Wikipedia 99
