figure

 

“FIGURE-DRAWING INTRODUCTION”

The human form is one of the most compelling subjects an artist can render, and also one of the most difficult.

Figure drawing takes time to master.  The artist must be willing to really study the form, to practice a general approach to the subject without wanting the finished product to be perfect and detailed.  Focusing too early on facial details, clothing details and the surrounding settings are going to interfere with the artist's ability to show a solid form that is in proportion.

The human form is a three-dimensional object with weight and bulk, the figure has depth and thickness.   The artist must first understand and examine the human form before attempting to recreate it.  By exploring the basic construction of the human form, the proportions, the movement ability, the connections, artists will be more able to reproduce accurate human forms in their artwork.

The best way to create a feeling of depth in a sketch is to 'draw through" the solid forms of the body.   This means, sketch some of the contours of the subject whether you can see them or not, like one might in a doodle of a 3-D cube.  Simply drawing a flat outline of the human form is going to give you just that, a flat looking figure with no dimension.

Remove all distracting detail, and begin to construct the basic figure using modified cylinder, sphere, cubic and cone shapes.  If you are able to view the human form in these simple, basic shapes, you will be on your way to creating proportioned, three-dimensional figures.  After you have mastered this, you will have little trouble with the details.

In figure drawing, as in most attempts at realistic or naturalistic rendering, measurement is key.  One must really observe and study the subject in front of him/her, make comparisons between different areas, and note necessary measurements in order to keep the rendering accurate.  Use your pencil to help you line things up properly.  Use lines of measurement called “plumb lines” to make sure everything is in proportion and angled correctly.

The artist uses the human head for the basic unit of measurement for the entire body.  The height of the head from the chin to the top of the head will become the ruler by which the rest of the vertical lines in the form are measured.  Most people are about 7 1/2 head heights tall (including the head), so plan ahead in your drawing by making horizontal and vertical measuring lines on the page before putting in too many details.  The width of the head will be used to measure the horizontal lines in the form as well as the vertical.  The shoulders are usually about three head widths across.

People's body proportions are completely different from one another, but, generally, similar proportions exist.  In children, because they are continuously developing, their proportions may seem rather odd at different ages, evening out as they grow into adulthood.

There are many books available for studying and drawing the human form.  It is a subject that is so in-depth it would be impossible to cover all the techniques and lessons in this short introduction.

Tips to remember when drawing the basic human form:

Visualize the parts of the form in their basic simple forms of cylinder, cube, cone and sphere.

Think of the head as an egg-shaped sphere.

Think of the head measurement from the chin to the top of the head, as a vertical measurement for all other vertical lines.

Think of the head width when making horizontal measurements.

Remember the laws of physics--balance and equilibrium.

Always sketch forms 'through' to the other side even if you can't see them.

Contrapposto--  Italian term meaning "counterpoise" (a force or influence that balances or equally counteracts another) used in the visual arts to describe a human figure standing with most of its weight on one foot so that its shoulders and arms twist off-axis from the hips and legs. This gives the figure a more dynamic, or alternatively relaxed appearance.  Contrapossto is less emphasized than the more sinuous S-Curve.