Rebecca Kimmel's Anatomy Review 001: GESTURE

#221

Meh, I think I’ve asked quite a few of you to go back a few steps from where you are…
no worries ~ I frankly had the WORST TIME understanding the basic blocky forms, peanut shape, etc ~ everything that comes into handy LATER when you’re looking down the barrel of an impossible to figure out figure and you’re grasping at straws, and trying to remember what it said in “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” book, etc. ~ ah…the joy…

Yes, these drawings do look basic, but don’t forget their importance. And…don’t underestimate the real skills of the folks I’m forcing to do these exercises… :wink:

~Rebeccak

#222

Thanks :slight_smile:

Ill keep working on stuff here. As long as I get some time in the day to do something Ill post something for sure. Besides I just got out of Figure drawing class and need to keep going. And this is summer break so doing a bit of drawing on break is great way to keep those muscles warm and ready for next semester.

I agree the blade is a bit low. I did draw a line for shoulder too, but I think I just did it too quick and did not pay attention and now that I see it more I think the width of the shoulder and rear is about the same and the shoulders should be a tad wider than the rear. just tad more. Thanks for the crit :slight_smile: Ill keep trying with the brush and see if I can get it closer to a charcoal feel.

Thanks again for this awesome thread.

#223

Last one, this time for real. :smiley:

So, not so manaquiny (that can’t be a word) this time and guess what. Only 3 min. You really are stretching me out of my normal routine.

I also changed my normal scan procedure. I usually don’t scan for display, only for use as a reference when I work on the computer. I adjusted the highlights, midtones, and shadows settings. I think this shows the sketchyness (word?) much better.

I think I’m going to bed before I stomp on the english language any more.

Again, thanks for your time Rebekka. Good night.

gesture3.jpg644x800

#224

My apologies, it’s late, and I just had to post this in response to magic man’s funny post:

#225

WyattHarris,

Here is a review of one of your earlier sketches:

Comments: you did a good job with laying in the gesture of the form in a blocky / cylindrical way, and because of your carefulness, the pose is very clear. I would say that this type of drawing, though it appears a bit stiff, is a really good way to learn the basic nature of human form. Later, we will tweak these basic forms to make more sophisticated structures, but without that underlying knowledge, it will be much easier to fail when approaching more sophisticated problems and approaches to drawing.

As for myself, I always think that it’s better to cling to a kickboard when learning how to swim before I get out into the ocean and drown. Ah…I’m deep :wink:

Good post! :slight_smile:

~Rebeccak

#226

:stuck_out_tongue:

Just throwing my hat in to soak up some of the goodness!

#227

I definitely like the idea, it will save my lazy ass having to look for reference pics.

#228

…dad, that teacher is making fun of me again!!!

Haha, I got a chuckle outta that one.

#229

Boy do I need to post something quick! Been busy all week, but will really try to get something on-line at some point today. Would love to be told how to improve. The clock ticks down…

#230

crazy lol, i got the poses from a book called Anatomy for the fantasy artist (not a bad book, no hogarth, but usefull in parts)

#231

Hi

Thanks For such a Great Thread .
After a couple of hours Practicing on the stuff the results are :

(I used marker and graphite)
Sorry for this huge pic .

#232

Quick question to Rebecca or insightful forum members -

The “sweeping gesture curve” that defines the torso, is that curve the “spine” that you build the bulk of the torso around, or the outline that defines the limits of positive/negative space?

 I always wanted to ask that!:D

Didn’t want to hijack the thread with my witterings so I edited my post. Heres my go - 10 min in painter (3 of those working out how to get a good line texture and colour…) Sorry she’s got no arms or legs… Reference used, but not adhered to. Crit please!

[img]http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6660/sepiadrawingtorso8hx.gif[/img]
#233

Another atempt:

Oops, forgot copyright stuff, tho i don’t think anyone wants it =)

(Z)

#234

default.rol wrote:

>The “sweeping gesture curve” that defines the torso, is that curve the “spine” that you build the bulk of the torso around, or the outline that defines the limits of positive/negative space?

Firstly, that’s a nice drawing you’ve got there…the consistent line weight is nice, it shows that there is a confidence in your approach to this drawing.

I would say really emphasize the offset curves on either side of the body ~ is this a digital or a traditional piece? If it is digital, then SAVE your current version, and on a top layer in Photoshop, use a slightly darker brownish tone to add, while maintaining the spirit of the piece, slightly darker emphasis on curves which oppose each other to define form (see the previous post about OPPOSING CURVES).

In response to your question about the “sweeping gesture curve” ~ it just kind of depends. I think that the #1 sweeping curve that should be established is the central axis of the body ~ granted, it may not ALWAYS be curved - eg, the figure is standing straight - but a straight pose is typically pretty boring. I think the head should be established first, then the central axis of the body as defined by the points connecting the pit of the neck down the sternum and rigcage, through the belly button, to the base of the pelvis. It’s the contrast of curves and angles in a gesture drawing that make it interesting, as well as the unity achieved in a good one by OTHER sweeping, gesture curves which defined the outline of the body like you mention.

There are really no hard and fast rules ~ just approaches to building form.

In short:

  1. DIRECTION OF HEAD should be established first
  2. CENTRAL AXIS OF BODY should be established second - this can be a sweeping gesture curve.
  3. BULK OF TORSO should be established only after the first two have been described. The bulk of the torso and the “OUTLINE” of the body can also be created with sweeping gesture curves.

Well-placed CURVES in general which are offset from one another are what make gesture drawings so interesting - they MOVE THE EYE AROUND, which is key.

Straight lines don’t move the eye around the page, and the viewer gets “bored”.

Curves - woo!

Hope this helps! :slight_smile:
~Rebeccak

#235

Kalorlo,

BTW, I haven’t had the chance to review your work yet, but I really like the direction in which you’re heading. So far, your gestures are both nicely loose and carefully studied at the same time, so keep it up! Are you working in traditional or digital medium? It’s getting hard to tell these days! Which is very much a compliment.

~Rebeccak

…The workday beckons!

#236

Rebecca: Thanks! I’m working digitally - Photoshop and Wacom.

Here’s today’s try, which… I don’t think turned out very well. Should probably have warmed up a bit on an easier pose first! :slight_smile:

The ref had long hair that obscured the right shoulder entirely, which didn’t help.

1 - I added the highlighting because it was rather hard to see what was going on otherwise.
2 - very quick experiment, not lifting pen, though I added the lightest bits on top again to make it a bit easier to see.
3 - trace of the actual picture.
4 - tried again, with the trace layer switched off while I was drawing. Went over the original peanut shape in blue.

#237

i want some critique too :wise: my post page 10

#238

hi RebeccaK

Thanks for the review! Thats a great help to me. I am working digitally in Coral Painter and a wacom for this thread as I’m trying to learn the software.

Will try to post another, more exciting gesture in the next day or so if time allows it.

Thx again

MIKE

#239

Mehehehehehe! (<-- helium-pitched evil laugh)
MM, you crack me up :smiley:

#240

anim_ziggy,

My apologies! I will definitely have time to critique your work today :slight_smile: Ah…Fridays are always light.

Sorry for the delay! :slight_smile:

~Rebeccak