Project - The moving figure

For this next part of the course the idea was to keep a sketch book with you and draw people out and about.  We were to catch fleeting moments and do some people watching.  This is an ongoing project to build up a resource for future work.  Here are some of my initial attempts.

Project - The Clothed Figure

To start with, we were asked to do some sketching of fabric which had been draped across a chair.  This was to look at line and form, and be done in charcoal or soft pencil.

The next stage was an exercise in form and movement in a clothed figure.  Observing how the fabric helps and even exaggerates the movement of the figure.

I'm not sure I really captured this in my drawings.  In the first one, although my model has a blanket over her legs, it actually looks like her legs are not in proportion to her top half and the pose looks a little awkward.

In my second drawing, I think you get a sense of the baggy clothing with the model in a slouched position.

Exercise: Three drawings

The idea behind this exercise was to do three drawings, using different materials, and to do one sitting, one standing and one lying down pose. Also, to note the centre of gravity, and angles of limbs and look for any foreshortening.

My first sketch was a standing pose.  I did two drawings, one using white chalk on black paper.  This came out surprisingly well considering I was using a jumbo stick of chalk!
The second drawing was done using black and red coloured pencils.  I'm not sure about the proportions on either of these as the body seems to be leaning back a bit too far, and the feet are too small.

The next drawing was a seated pose. I did a warm up exercise of zig-zagging from point to point which actually turned out better than the longer drawing. Then a quick sketch in pencil, before the final drawing in oil pastels. These could be my most hated drawing material, but I thought I would give them another chance. Sadly, the drawing was a disappointment, but I think that was something to do with my proportions again, rather than the tools.

Zig-zagging exercise

Quick pencil sketch

My third drawing was a lying down pose.  This I tried in charcoal, and also a large felt tip pen with a sort of brush nib to it. 

Research Point- Structure

Whilst on the subject of anatomical drawings, I had to include this picture of a drawing by Roberto Osti who is an American artist.  This really does set the imagination soaring!

Project - Structure

Drawing by Andreas Vesalius

In this part of the course we were asked to research anatomical drawings and try one out ourselves.  After looking in books and on the web I found some incredible images which shows how the artist has a good understanding of the structure of the body.

Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci

I then tried my hand at some anatomical drawing using black and red pencil.

 (The red doesn't really show up in picture)

Also I copied a skeleton drawing by Bernard Siegfried Albinus. I used a black biro and was quite pleased with him.  His arms may be a little on the long side but he doesn't seem to mind!



Project - Gesture

For this next exercise our model had to change pose every 2 to 5 minutes, and we were asked to draw quickly looking for the centre of gravity in each pose.

Next we had to look  at the energy of a pose.  This exercise asked for dynamic positions to be held for about five minutes.  We were to concentrate on the sense of energy and not to worry about the details.

I tried these exercises in ink and dip pen, felt tip, biro and oil pastels.

Project - Form

This exercise was looking at the different shapes within the body and noticing and angles the body was making.

I then tried some exercises from a book I am reading called Life Drawing by Bridget Woods. 

 The exercises are called Rhythm and Curve and Circling, and help you to acheive better proportions by focusing on the larger shapes first and not fiddling with too much detail too soon.  This I need to work on!

Next I went on to do a series of drawings focusing on the three dimensional form. 

They were all supposed to be for ten minutes, but they all ran over time. This I think was partly due to  the fact that I felt my models liked to see some sort of attempt being made to make the drawing resemble them.  I could have left the faces blank, but once I had started it is very difficult to stop.  I somehow felt that with a bit more shading and then rubbing out, surely some of the lines would be in the right place and may hold some similarity to my model.  Alas, this isn't the case, but we are yet to come on to portraits so lets hope I have improved a little by then. At least my drawings raised a laugh from all my family members!