JANUARY-MARCH TERM, WEEK 2:FIGURE DRAWING AND LAYOUT

This exercise will continue to help you develop your figure drawing and also introduce you to basic framing of your subject.

We will progress on to more  challenging layouts later.

This is  the pre inked pencil drawing. This is what you are aiming for. Not necessarily my style of drawing but the figure.

Start by sketching out the figure. This is a centralised composition, so consider this when you begin.

If you find the stick figure helpful,  begin with that.

Or, if you find it easier to rougthly sketch out the figure, without using the stck frame,  begin that way.

I have drawn something pretty basic to follow, if you are confident  to draw some more elaborate, please do so.

I will post a more detailed  tutorial on drawing the face and hands but for now just have a go. Also, have a look back at what I wrote in my last post.

Not that you have drawn the figure, you can render it in ink or continue with pencil.

Now,  I must point out that I have not actually inked the following stages. These were very quickly (and crudely) gone over in photo shop but it should give you a few things to think about.

Think about how you want to render your drawing. It can tak  some time and many drawings befor you arrive at the style that is right for you..
You may prefer detailed  inking, or a combination of detailed line and graphic , solid black shapes.

If you are considering  a solid black background, think about whether it is important that parts of your main image  are lost to the background..

Below are some  suggestions  for finishing your drawing in a very simple manner.
You will notiuce I have switchd the axe for a sword

 I am not convinced that the black shape, to the right of the sword, dividing  the smoke, is working. I think it causes unnecessary conflict

JANUARY-MARCH TERM, WEEK 1:FIGURE DRAWING #1

I find it ironic, how that in the era of the "SELFIE", there is still a general lack of knowledge of our own bodies and how they work. I am generalising , of course, but I find it  a common stumbling block with a lot of students  in their early stages of drawing.

I know some of you are having some difficulty with the human form and general anatony. 

That's ok, everyone does, even the pro's, sometimes.

I am sorry to say that there are no shorts cuts to getting this right. It is the same as everything you will draw. The more you practice, the better you will get.

But, what does this practice involve?

1. Drawing. Draw as often as you can

2. Observing. Look at what it is you are drawing. Take in the shape, the relationship of all the limbs, and how they balance.

3. Understanding. I found I could draw better figures once I had a basic understanding of what I was drawing. I gained this understanding by reading anatomy books and looking at my own body in the mirror. 

A lot of artists do this. Especially when they need quick reference for a drawing.

 And finally, ...

4. More drawing

I used to have difficulty with drawing cars and guns until I began breaking them down into managable bite size  shapes. Sometimes I look at something  I am attempting to draw and cannot  see it because there is too much information to take in. Like the sayings, "I can't see the wood for the trees" and "I can't see for looking".

When this happens, I try to break the subject into simple shapes that enable me to really see what it is I am drawing.

I think it's the same for the human form.

Sometimes simplifying something  into manageable information makes it easier to aborb.

Below is  the male human skeleton...

...it can be broken down into  a basic stick frame

Once the stick frame is established, breakdown shapes can be added to fill out the shape and give it form.

. One of the things I have noticed when some students  attempt the stick figure method, is that they become too focused on drawing the line of the  stick frame and lose sight of why they are using the stick frame and what it represents. It's just an aid, kind of like stabaliser when learning to ride a bike. Eventually you will need to use the stick figure less and less, although, I notice that some pro's still use this method  to help them with layout.

Here is a very simple, not too complicated exercise for you to follow.  

This is what you are aiming for

Here are the breakdowns

 Here is another exercise

Here are the breakdowns

Notice on the first image I have indicated the flow of movement  with arrows.  It is important to understand how the body works and moves. How  a tilt or twist will affect the rest of the body and it's posture.

If it helps , and I would think it would, try to imagine the skeleton 

More often than not, the image below, shows how I normally produce a rough sketch

Here is another example of my rough work.

I will  add more  examples later in the wek, so remember to chack back.

Just keep practicing and keep in mind that this is not something you can acheive over night. It takes  focus, practice and patience, which will pay off , because it will enable you to draw better.

SWARTHMORE'S, FANTASY ART CLASS, will begin today, Tuesday 27th January

SWARTHMORE'S, FANTASY ART CLASS, will begin today, Tuesday 27th January, at 6.30pm. If you have enroled, be sure to turn up.

TO ALL FANTASY ART STUDENTS!

I am REALLY sorry but tonight's class has to be rescheduled.

The course will now begin next Tuesday 27th at 6.30. All ten weeks will be honoured

I don't broadcast my health on social media but in this case I feel it's appropriate to do so.

Unfortunately, a catalogue of injury and ill health since November has prevented me from working, teaching, or doing anything. 

The good news is, that I will be able to return to work including teaching next week.

Boy, am I looking forward to that.

LAST DAY FOR ENROLMENT -MONDAY 12TH JANUARY

A new term of Fantasy Art begins on Tuesday 13th January 6.30 at Swarthmore. Swarthmore tells me that Monday 12th January is the last day for enrolment. Sorry but I don't make the rules.

http://www.swarthmore.org.uk/

Swarthmore Education Centre

2 – 7 Woodhouse Square

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS3 1AD

0113 243 2210

FANTASY ART: NEW TERM BEGINS 13TH JANUARY

A new term of Fantasy Art begins on Tuesday 13th January 6.30 at Swarthmore. Book now to avoid disappointmment.

http://www.swarthmore.org.uk/

Swarthmore Education Centre
2 – 7 Woodhouse Square
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS3 1AD

0113 243 2210

Tomorrow's Worlds: The Unearthly History of Science Fiction

This show is interesting, you may like it. It will be available for the next 19 days on BBC iplayer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p01yqkdq/tomorrows-worlds-the-unearthly-history-of-science-fiction-1-space