Figure drawing is challenging. The following article will provide you with some of the basics for understanding how to approach your next figure drawing project.
There are a number of different lighting situations that you can create for your figure drawing or painting. If you are a beginner, you may want to create a lighting effect that strikes your model from only one direction and illuminates your figure only partially, thereby creating more shadow. This will make for a much easier figure drawing.
Before you even lift a pencil, you should have a basic understanding of human anatomy. There is no need to get carried away and memorize every muscle, bone, and tendon in the human body; just a fundamental understanding should suffice.
Getting the proportions correct in your figure drawing is one of the biggest challenges you will face as a beginner. When deciding on the type of pose for your figure drawing, make sure you choose one that looks natural. There are a number of different lighting situations that you can create for your figure drawing or painting. When you begin your drawing, you should not be overly concerned with getting every detail correct in your figure or other objects that make up your drawing. Figure drawing and painting is a vast subject and this article only touches on some of the basics.
Grab your pencil from the bottom as if you were holding a hammer and extend your arm out fully in front of you toward the subject. Now closing one eye match the tip of the pencil with the top of the subjects head. You now have taken the “head” measurement of your subject, which will now serve as a reference for measuring the rest of your subject.
Newsprint paper is excellent and fairly inexpensive for practice drawings, although you should not expect these drawing to last very long. For your permanent drawings, a good quality paper is recommended. You will also need a good size drawing board that is flat and smooth for your drawing surface.
Getting the proportions correct in your figure drawing is one of the biggest challenges you will face as a beginner. 7 1/2 to 8 heads is the standard measurement that has been developed for the height of an erect figure. You should realize that the measurement of 7 1/2 heads corresponds to the figure when it is standing erect.
When deciding on the type of pose for your figure drawing, make sure you choose one that looks natural. If your model looks awkward or uncomfortable, your painting or drawing will reflect that.
The very first thing you will need obviously is your drawing supplies. You can get started with a pencil and paper if you so desire, but there are certain supplies that will produce better results. Your choice of materials will also depend on the chosen subject matter.
You should not be overly concerned with getting every detail correct in your figure or other objects that make up your drawing when you begin your drawing. Many beginners fall into this trap and ultimately wind up with a drawing that is out of proportion or that just looks wrong. Study your subject, squint your eyes and try to locate the basic shapes that make up your subject.
Figure drawing and painting is a vast subject and this article only touches on some of the basics. Purchase a few good books on figure drawing and anatomy.
