During my Bachelor’s Degree Course in Graphic Design, I had the opportunity to attend some Life Drawing classes and I absolutely hated it back then. I was expecting a bad experience during the Character Animation Life Drawing too. So I approached these classes with mistrust and didn’t hope to learn much from them.
However, to my great surprise, I absolutely loved the module! I learned so much and practice definitely makes perfect. When comparing my work from the first session and now I notice so much improvement in my drawings. At the start of every session, Vanessa teaches us some techniques and recommends us some research materials. I’ve found that extremely helpful and what I’ve learned has for sure reflected on the way my sketches look now.
What I like the most is the fact that we draw quick action poses of 30 sec, 1 min, 2 min or 3 min. We don’t look at the outlines but instead, we capture the movement of the body. Being exposed to this very short time in which you need to capture a pose was quite stressful at the beginning as I vaguely managed to draw anything. But now I understand that the details are not important and what matters are those action lines that give “life” to the drawing. So before 30 seconds was not enough for me to capture a pose, now 3 minutes seems so long that I even manage to draw 1-3 versions of the pose.
I have learned that making cylindrical lines across the surface of the legs and arms makes the drawing look 3 dimensional. Those circular lines can also be used to demonstrate foreshortening and to define where to position T-junctions.
It’s important to draw verbs and not nouns! Also, to be mindful of Rhythm (stiff drawngs), Structure (3D volume and skeletal), and Shape (proportions). A gesture drawing is what the model does not what they look like!
When it comes to structuring it helps to start up with the shape of a Bean – which represents the torsos and pelvis. And based on the pose you follow the correct Tilt (side to side), Lean ( forward or backward), Forshortening (back view or front view), and Twist (left or right) of that Bean.
Researching other life drawing artists’ work is always helpful but it’s also good to stick to your own style. As long as you follow the basic rules for gesture drawing. Some of the artists I’ve been checking out are:
And some of my work: