Rebecca Kimmel's Anatomy Review 001: GESTURE

#1

SPECIAL NOTE - posted 1/23/06:

[b]SINCE THIS IS LARGELY A CLOSED THREAD, FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN FURTHER EXPLORING GESTURE, PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING (ACTIVE) THREAD:

Here we explore the Concept of Gesture and there are many useful exercises. Frankly, the Beginner’s Lounge is probably more useful at this point than this one.
[/b]
Beginners’ Lounge
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=297229

REBECCA KIMMEL’S Anatomy Review 001: GESTURE

Welcome to the inaugural thread of Rebecca Kimmel’s Anatomy Review. Hopefully this will be one of many “tutorials” that I will be writing about the core concepts concerning drawing the human figure in an artistically anatomical way.

But first let me tell you a bit about myself – I graduated with honors from the Art Center College of Design having studied Illustration. I studied under the popular teachers Harry Carmean, Burne Hogarth, and Steve Huston among many others. I have always had the interest in teaching figurative drawing and artistic anatomy, and I am thankful to Roberto Ortiz for presenting me with this unique and special opportunity. So bear with me as this is a fledgling teaching attempt J

So bring your drawing pads, sketch books, your wacoms and your pencils & pens, and let’s start drawing. :slight_smile:

Part I: GESTURE

Gesture drawings may seem basic, but their importance cannot be overlooked. Gesture is the heart and soul of a drawing – without first establishing the clean, economical sweep of lines (and subtle shading) to quickly define the human form in its entirety, an artist drawing from a model (or reference) can quickly become lost. Beginners tend to focus narrowly on details, and never establish the full figure. It is critical when drawing to focus instead on the BIG PICTURE.

The BIG PICTURE is about establishing several main components of the figure quickly. These major components are:

[ol]
[li]The direction the head is facing – this can be established with a simple sphere and a few lines denoting the central axis and the axis of the eyes, nose, and mouth.[/li][li]The direction the ribcage is facing – this can be established by finding the pit of the neck (the space between the clavicles and the sternum).[/li][li]The direction the pelvis is facing – this can be established by finding the line of symmetry which bisects the pelvic area.[/li][li]The center line of the body – this is an average of an imaginary line which can be thought to run from the pit of the neck, down the sternum and rib cage, down the pelvis, and to the base of of the feet.[/li][li]The shape of the ribcage and pelvis are, next to the head, the most important shapes to establish. A modified “peanut” shape can be used in every figure you draw to establish their combined average shape.[/li][li]The average flow of the limbs – arms and legs are only to be established after the head direction, rib cage and pelvis direction, and center line of the body are established. They are, surprisingly, the LAST major feature which you should establish when creating a gesture drawing. Limbs can be expressed quickly with simple directional lines, and then augmented with a simple system of conical (cone) shapes to add mass and form.[/li][/ol]

RECAP: WHAT TO ESTABLISH IN A GESTURE DRAWING:
[ol]
[li]Direction of HEAD[/li][li]Direction of RIBCAGE[/li][li]Direction of PELVIS[/li][li]CENTER LINE OF BODY[/li][li]Flow of LIMBS[/li][/ol]Note: Gesture Drawings are drawings that take only up to 2 minutes to complete.

FINAL NOTES:

So that’s it. Go now, pick that sketchbook up, and practice drawing GESTURES. My advice is to do several and then pick the best one to post here.

YOU HAVE ONE WEEK TO POST YOUR BEST PIECE (GESTURE DRAWING).

GENERAL RULES:

Once I have posted my lesson it will be your turn:
[ul]
[li]Post a drawing based on the topic or body part covered in this lesson. You may use a model (preferred) or photo reference.[/li][/ul]
[ul]
[li]A couple of times a month, a new thread will be posted on the WIP/Critique: 2D, Illustrations and Concept Art called:REBECCA KIMMEL’S Anatomy Review [ID]: “Thread Title” [/li]

For example:

REBECCA KIMMEL’S Anatomy Review 001: GESTURE

This will be the CORE thread, created by Rebecca Kimmel, where the lessons will be posted along with the FINAL pieces done by the participants.
[/ul]
[ul]
[li]This will be the only thread where artwork will be posted. Comments WILL be allowed on the thread.[/li][/ul](In short, when an artist wants to show his or her drawing based on the lesson, he or she just has to post a reply to the thread.)

Each entry will have:
[ul]
[li]An original piece done after the topic has been picked.[/li][li]The artwork done by the participant based on the latest class.[/li][/ul]And some more rules:
[ul]
[li]All artwork must have the following words written on them: b 2005 YOUR NAME[/b][/li][li]At the end of the week, I will pick up to 4 pieces of my choosing and will review them. My advice: KEEP IT SIMPLE[/li][/ul]
[ul]
[li]You are encouraged to use MODELS but if you cannot you can use PHOTO reference.[/li][/ul]At the end of the week, I will pick up to 4 pieces of my choosing and will review them. My advice: KEEP IT SIMPLE.

All text and images posted on this lesson are © 2005, Rebecca KimmelGood luck

-Roberto and Rebecca

DISCLAIMER: The creator of this thread, Roberto Ortiz, Rebecca Kimmel, CGNetworks and CGTALK are not responsible for what happens during these classes. Participants are posting under their own accord and their actions are their own. The aforementioned parties of Roberto Ortiz, Rebecca Kimmel, CGNetworks and CGTALK are in no way responsible for their actions and are thus not liable in any way.

EDIT: PER PEOPLES’ REQUESTS, HERE ARE SOME USEFUL LINKS WITHIN THIS THREAD:

[left]REBECCA’S DRAWINGS:[/left]
[left]#13, #14, #15, #16, #18 [/left]

[left]REBECCA’S GESTURE DRAWINGS: [/left]
[left]#56, #58, #59 [/left]

[left]POTENTIAL SUB-FORUM: ARTISTIC ANATOMY / FIGURATIVE DRAWING:[/left]
[left]#301 [/left]

[left]DRAWING DEMOS / NOTES / PHOTOS:[/left]

[left]Notes on Opposing Curves: #211, #212 [/left]
[left]Basic Traditional Drawing Tools: #216, #217 [/left]

[left]INDIVIDUALS’ ORIGINAL POSTS:[/left]

meta87:#281
[left]zurfer: #22 [/left]
[left]Xillion: #40, #392 [/left]
[left]augustus: #41, #76 [/left]
[left]tracer18: #44 [/left]
[left]solarundies: #50, #102 [/left]
[left]cryptic ghost: #51 [/left]
[left]Skeksi: #52 [/left]
[left]ZuraK: #60 [/left]
[left]Desp#2/Rog: #66, #81, #128, #209, #218, #274, #300 [/left]
[left]eggsrgood: #69 [/left]
[left]Kalorlo: #73, #162, #236 [/left]
[left]Junkoman: #74, #121 [/left]
[left]lutonomy: #75 [/left]
[left]NOOB: #83 [/left]
[left]Art2: #86 [/left]
[left]Solomon: #99, #103 [/left]
[left]Libor: #105 [/left]
[left]deadplant155: #107 [/left]
[left]reiq: #108 [/left]
[left]AStott: #111 [/left]
[left]dioxide: #112 [/left]
[left]Gord MacDonald: #113 [/left]
[left]MagicRubber: #114 [/left]
[left]Layer 01: #118, #120, #169, #175 [/left]
[left]fabian84: #119 [/left]
[left]JimiPhoenix: #122 [/left]
[left]magic man: #123, #159, #165 [/left]
[left]anim_ziggy: #136 [/left]
[left]Mirwen: #137, #293 [/left]
[left]StarlightGloom: #140 [/left]
[left]danielkenobi: #143, #150 [/left]
[left]Darktwin: #145, #263 [/left]
[left]LikuidSnake: #148 [/left]
[left]Somhairle: #151, #183 [/left]
[left]seth1: #152 [/left]
[left]kunal: #153 [/left]
[left]dareevan: #155 [/left]
[left]commodore: #163 [/left]
[left]C1imaX: #170 [/left]
[left]WyattHarris: #185, #206, #223 [/left]
[left]CBee: #188 [/left]
[left]lokki: #226 [/left]
[left]Gordon Freeman: #231 [/left]
[left]default.rol: #232, #261, #326 [/left]
[left]ZuraK: #233 [/left]
[left]FromanylanD: #264, #312, #396 [/left]
[left]Sir Patroclo: #277 [/left]
[left]mbalestrini: #280 [/left]
[left]lutonomy: #320 [/left]
[left]NoirQ: #346 [/left]
[left]scorpion007: #363 [/left]
[left]AdrielaSakamoto: #368 [/left]
stipick_S: #371
sphere: #379

[left]REBECCA’S REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL DRAWINGS:[/left]

[left]meta87: #53[/left]
[left]augustus: #64 [/left]
[left]maranello 55: #116 [/left]
[left]magic man: #133, #134 [/left]
[left]fabian84: #182 [/left]
[left]WyattHarris: #225 [/left]
[left]anim_ziggy: #243 [/left]
[left]NOOB: #250 [/left]
[left]kalorlo: #260 [/left]
[left]Mirwen: #286 [/left]
[left]sphere: #316 [/left]
[left]danielkenobi: #318 [/left]
[left]Somhairle: #319 [/left]
[left]kunal: #321 [/left]
[left]StarlightGloom: #323 [/left]
[left]commodore: #324 [/left]
[left]JimiPhoenix: #325 [/left]
[left]Darktwin: #331 [/left]
[left]Gordon Freeman: #332 [/left]
[left]LikuidSnake: #336 [/left]
[left]deadplant155: #344 [/left]
[left]Gord MacDonald: #345 [/left]
[left]lutonomy: #349 [/left]
[left]AStott: #351 [/left]
[left]MagicRubber: #353 [/left]
[left]libor: #355 [/left]
[left]dioxide: #357 [/left]
[left]junkoman: #358 [/left]
[left]crypticghost: #364 [/left]
[left]Zurak: #366 [/left]
[left]Solomon: #381 [/left]
[left]reiq: #382 [/left]
[left]solarundies: #386 [/left]
[left]seth1: #388 [/left]
[left]FromanylanD: #393[/left]

RULES FOR CRITIQUING OTHERS’ DRAWINGS:

[left]#275 [/left]

OTHERS’ REVISIONS OF INDIVIDUAL DRAWINGS:

Merwin’s Review of Wyatt Harris: #241
Somhairle’s Review of Kitami: #281
Fromanyland’s Review of AdrielaSakamoto: #374

ONLINE RESOURCES:

[left]http://figuredrawings.com/artistsmodel2.html (nudity)[/left]
http://figuredrawings.com/1116JOHN%20EVERARD7.jpg (nudity)
http://www.uem.es/web/afd/profesore…ica/figura3.JPG
http://www.artincontext.org/images/…00/WOC0003D.jpg
http://www.cotianet.com.br/photo/gr…plus03/EM94.jpg
[left]#288[/left]

SPECIAL TOPICS:

[left]Should I Use Reference?: #93 [/left]
[left]How Do I Start A Gesture Drawing?: #106 [/left]
[left]Gordon MacDonald’s Thoughts On Drawing Gestures: #109 [/left]

MO’ ABOUT REBECCA - WOO!: :smiley:
#317

[left]YEAH, THAT’S FUNNY:[/left]

[left]magic man: #179 [/left]
[left]rebeccak: #224 [/left]

GESTURES OF THE WEEK!

[left]#412 [/left]

#2

Hey Rebecca, good to see this getting off the ground. :slight_smile:

This lesson looks like a good one to start with, and I’m going to give it a shot, since gestures are probably one of my weaker areas. Cheers! :slight_smile:

#3

This sounds great! :slight_smile:

I will definitely be posting.

#4

Wow, very cool.

I would like to get in on this one too. I definately need to improve on my anatomy skills. My biggest issue is with hands, feet and overall proportion. (Big Picture)

I’m currently learning out of Burne Hogarth’s (awesome) Dynamic Anatomy book. Love Burne Hogarth!!!

#5

hang on, but i poured coffee in my lap, broke my arm, developed an ulcer, put on 20 pounds while straining my eyes after cramping my neck trying to read this post and your saying its MY fault!?
:smiley:

this thread is awesome, i will post up my drawing (after i heal both mentally and physicaly :wink: )
and you say you studied under Hogarth! i am very jealous, he is an amazing artist, his books have taught me so much.

#6

excellent… now just to find a model… AH! the zoo!

#7

Well here is one of my gestures that I liked. It isn’t much compared to what I’m sure will be posted, but I’m working hard to improve!

I would love tips anyone has.

© TRAVIS IRBY 2005

And here is the photo reference I used:
reference image

#8

Hello everyone,

Thank you for your posts! Supply-wise, you are welcome to use any medium with which you feel comfortable – personally, I’m going to be posting charcoal drawings, maybe with some Photoshop additions, but these posts are essentially meant to be more demonstrative in terms of ideas about approaching figurative drawing, and less about using a specific technique.

So you can use what you like for these exercises – pencil, pen, charcoal, pixels…

That being said, the materials I tend to use when drawing are:

For anatomical studies from books or life:
-ballpoint pen
-any size sketchbook, preferably a standard medium-sized one (not a tiny one)
-pencil rarely

For figurative drawings / life drawings:
-several charcoal pencils (6B Generals) for figurative drawing
-or Carb Othello pencils (more expensive, harder to find, but softer)
-exacto knife to sharpen charcoal pencils
-sandpaper pad to sand sharpened charcoal pencils
-paper towels for pencil shavings
-18" x 24" newsprint pad
-standard masonite drawing board with clips to accommdate 18" x 24" newsprint pad
-support for drawing board (eg, easel – I just use a black lightweight aluminum tripod-style easel)
-gum eraser (used rarely)

-Anatomy reference books (I will post recommended books shortly)

Cool, stay tuned :slight_smile:

~Rebeccak

REBECCA KIMMEL’s Anatomy Review
My WIP Painting

#9

Guys,

Here is a list of Anatomy Reference / Figurative Drawing / Artists’ Drawing books which I have in my “library” – eg, set of Target shelves :wink: – feel free to post the titles of books which you have found helpful and maybe I can convince Roberto to create a sticky for them!

My reference format is shaky at best, but here are the goods:

INSTRUCTIONAL:

“Albinus on Anatomy”, by Robert Beverly Hale and Terence Coyle - Dover Publications, publisher

“Artistic Anatomy”, by Dr. Paul Richer - Watson Guptill, publisher

“Anatomy Lessons From The Great Masters”, by Robert Beverly Hale and Terence Coyle - Watson Guptill, publisher

“Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist”, by Stephen Rogers Peck - Oxford University Press, publisher

“An Atlas of Anatomy for Artists”, by Fritz Schider - Dover Publications, publisher

“Anatomy for the Artist”, by Jeno Barcsay - Barnes & Noble Books, publisher

“Human Anatomy for Artists - The Elements of Form”, by Eliot Goldfinger - Oxford University Press, publisher

“Master Class in Figure Drawing”, by Robert Beverly Hale - Watson Guptill, publisher

“Figure Drawing For All It’s Worth”, by Andrew Loomis - Viking Press (out of print)

“Dynamic Anatomy”, by Burne Hogarth - Watson Guptill, publisher

“Vilppu Drawing Manual”, by Glenn Vilppu - (self-published)

“The Human Machine: The Anatomical Structure and Mechanism of the Human Body”, by George Bridgeman - Dover, publisher

BOOKS BY / ABOUT DRAUGHTSMEN:

“Michelangelo”, by Bernard Lamarche-Vadel - Chartwell Books, Inc., publisher

“Michelangelo And His Drawings”, by Michael Hirst - Yale University Press

“Pontormo”, by/edited by Salvatore S. Nigro and Marianne Scheider - Schirmer / Mosel, publisher

“The Drawings of Rubens”, Master Draughtsman Series of books - Borden Publishing Company, publisher

“The Drawings of Harry Carmean”, Master Draughtsman Series of books - Borden Publishing Company, publisher

“Carmean”, by June Harwood - Harwood / Carmean, publisher

OF INTEREST:

“Encyclopaedia Anatomica - Museo La Specola Florence” - Taschen, publisher

Clearly, you don’t need all of these! The best thing to do is hunt a few of the top INSTRUCTIONAL books down online or in the bookstores, and see what you like best.
So long as the books that you find contain reference including the skeleton in front, back, and side view, as well as the muscular and surface structures in these three views, you should be fine. Often, artists like to have several books on hand, however, as each reference book can offer something unique, even if the same subject matter is covered.

In terms of books about ARTISTS, everyone should have a book containing Michelangelo’s Drawings and Paintings in my opinion! After that, Rubens. After that, Pontormo. These are just my three favorite artists that I drool over. But definitely collect books on artists you love and never loan them! :slight_smile:

Hope this is useful :slight_smile:

~Rebeccak

REBECCA KIMMEL’s Anatomy Review
My WIP Painting

#10

Thanks for doing this Rebecca! I’ll definitely be giving this a shot.

#11

Hey guys, I just wanted to post some of the images that were used in the announcement thread in the hopes that they could give you a better sense of where I am coming from artistically. Thank you for your posts and participation!

#12

SUBSCRIBIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

edit: JOININGGGGGGGGGGGGG…!!:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

#13

Another…

#14

Another…

#15

One last one…

__ God that was a horrible drawing! haha

Thanks,
~Rebeccak

#16

Couple more…

#17

Rebecca five stars from me for such a grate thread! :thumbsup:

#18

Last one…

#19

I’m in this fo’ sure babe!

Will be posting soon…

check ya later! Excellent idea starting this thread!

Peace…

Adam…

#20

Wow…this is like a free course…I love the idea…Cant thanks Bobby and Kimmel enough.

Here’s my first doodle…the left arm is worse from the rest…hehehe…

edit : no refs…This is not my final submission…so i hope i can just edit this post to submit a different one…:bounce: CAn I?

A few more…pls tell me if im doing it right or not…ive never taken any class such as this.


Again…no refs…The first 2 sketches are manual on copy paper. The one above here is done with wacom.

oh Rebecca im ready for your crits…if these are worth your crits at all!!

At the end of the week I will just update this reply to a single final gesture…its that ok?

A couple more…
The kneeling one is a failure…spent more than 20 minutes on that…the second one is ok…5 minutes…hehehe…I dont want to post too big of an image…but hopefully not too small for rebeccak to revise it…

Wacom…