The Human Figure
Through art, body forms, movements, shapes, contours and postures are studied and appreciated for their beauty. There are many different ways to draw, paint and present the human figure. The best way to learn is to experiment with many different forms and develop your skills.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In order to create human figure drawings, one must begin with observational drawings. There are a variety of ways to do so. Below, artist Donald A. Jusko, gives his viewers an idea of time-framing observational drawings to achieve the goal wanted. Each drawing, no matter the time- frame alotted can be re-worked and re-created into a final art work with a little direction and inspiration.
Quick Studies: Drawing the lines, contour and movement of the parts of the body using gesture drawings and line. The lines are places quickly in either less than 60 seconds or no longer than 5 minute intravels. The goal of quick study drawings is to get a feel for the contour and shape of the human figure and understand the movement of your lines.
Continuous Line: Similar to quick studies, continuous line drawings focus on the contour and shape of the human figure, with more of an emphasis on the movement of lines. In continuous line drawings, the line is, well, continuous. The artist must create the human figure in the sum of its' parts without lifting their mediums off the page. This continuous line allows artists to get a better idea of detail and movement within the human body.
Left- Handed: As most people are right-handed, it is suggested that artists use their less dominant hand to create the contours of the human figure. This allows the artist to loosen their drawing skills and really use the idea of movement and space to complete their figures. Adding another dimension of line-drawing and technique to the figures.
Blind Contour: Drawings that are "blind". Forcing the artist to observe the human figure and draw it onto their blank paper without looking at the image. This allows a whole- new aspect of dimension, shape and line within their work. If the artist wanted to create more of an abstracted work, this technique would definitely be one to consider, for it focuses solely on the lines and movement of lines within the body alone.
Any of these drawing techniques can be done within 5-10-20-30 second intravels and go from 60 seconds- 5 minutes.
Quick Studies: Drawing the lines, contour and movement of the parts of the body using gesture drawings and line. The lines are places quickly in either less than 60 seconds or no longer than 5 minute intravels. The goal of quick study drawings is to get a feel for the contour and shape of the human figure and understand the movement of your lines.
Continuous Line: Similar to quick studies, continuous line drawings focus on the contour and shape of the human figure, with more of an emphasis on the movement of lines. In continuous line drawings, the line is, well, continuous. The artist must create the human figure in the sum of its' parts without lifting their mediums off the page. This continuous line allows artists to get a better idea of detail and movement within the human body.
Left- Handed: As most people are right-handed, it is suggested that artists use their less dominant hand to create the contours of the human figure. This allows the artist to loosen their drawing skills and really use the idea of movement and space to complete their figures. Adding another dimension of line-drawing and technique to the figures.
Blind Contour: Drawings that are "blind". Forcing the artist to observe the human figure and draw it onto their blank paper without looking at the image. This allows a whole- new aspect of dimension, shape and line within their work. If the artist wanted to create more of an abstracted work, this technique would definitely be one to consider, for it focuses solely on the lines and movement of lines within the body alone.
Any of these drawing techniques can be done within 5-10-20-30 second intravels and go from 60 seconds- 5 minutes.
Observational Drawings
Donald A. Jusko. Human Figure Drawings and Examples To Develop Your Skills
See More: http://www.realcolorwheel.com/lifedrawingDon.htm
One Minute Charcoal Drawings
Begin sketching the sigure quickly, paying attention to the contours and movement of the human form. Your work should consist of a simple outliine and minimal shading, as this one minute drawing has been done by D.A. Jusko.
In one minute drawings, the contour of the figure is most important.
In one minute drawings, the contour of the figure is most important.
Five Minute Charcoal Drawing
Similar to the one minute drawing, your focus is to complete the contour and idea of movement within the human figure. However, because there is more time alotted to complete the work, it gives the artist reason to focus on more detail, such as shading and proportioning parts of the body more realistically.
Five minute drawings allow the artist to spend more time and focus on the details of the contour.
Five minute drawings allow the artist to spend more time and focus on the details of the contour.
Ten Minute Drawings
Ten minute drawings allow the artist to go even further with the details of the human figure. Instead of merely focusing on the shading of the figure, artists are able to add various tones, colours and contours to create a more realistic image and movement within the figure.
Ten minute drawings allow artists to begin to focus on the many different details that make up the human figure.
Ten minute drawings allow artists to begin to focus on the many different details that make up the human figure.
Thirty Minute Drawing
Thirty minute drawings allows the artist to begin forming realistic detail within their work. Not only focusing on the different tones and shades according to the way the light has hit the contours of the body, but also expressing realistic detail and development of other parts of the human figure, (for instance, the facial features and lines in the neck).
Thirty minute drawings allow the artist to begin perfecting their human figures with realistic detail.
Thirty minute drawings allow the artist to begin perfecting their human figures with realistic detail.
Forty-Five Minute Drawing
Forty-Five minute drawings allow the artist to give the figure a much more realistic image. Different muscle and bone tones and proportions of the body are more properly filled in and details with shades and tones of light. Other realities such as a background may begin to take shape here, as well as the details on the figure within the background.
Forty-Five minute drawings are about expanding the details of realism within the human figure.
Forty-Five minute drawings are about expanding the details of realism within the human figure.
One Hour Drawing
One hour drawings allow the artist to complete their work in great detail. The tones and contours of the figure should be completed in great detail to create a very life-like, realistic image. The background will begin to take more shape and the figure will appear more as a photographic image.
One hour drawings allow the artist to really focus on the detail and contour of the figure to create a realistic image. Shades, tones, muscle definition and other details of the face are closely attended too.
One hour drawings allow the artist to really focus on the detail and contour of the figure to create a realistic image. Shades, tones, muscle definition and other details of the face are closely attended too.
Two Hour Drawing
Two hour drawings allow the artist to expand even more on the initial, realistic details of the one hour image. The different tones and shades and details of the body are perfected to show realistic movement, contours and definition of body parts. This human figure is no longer a few simple lines and small details.
In two hour drawings, artists take alot of time and focus onto each area of the body to make the human figure look as realistic as possible.
In two hour drawings, artists take alot of time and focus onto each area of the body to make the human figure look as realistic as possible.
Life-Drawings, The Moving Figure
Using any of the various above techniques, (perferrably all of the techniques, in order to properly experiment with different forms), create quick sketches of different poses. These sketches can be done individually on a different sheet, or altogether in one sheet. Students should experiment with the movement and shapes of the figures by filling up the page or overlapping various poses and movements.
Using any of the various above techniques, (perferrably all of the techniques, in order to properly experiment with different forms), create quick sketches of different poses. These sketches can be done individually on a different sheet, or altogether in one sheet. Students should experiment with the movement and shapes of the figures by filling up the page or overlapping various poses and movements.
|
Henri Matisse |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pablo Picasso |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Think about Cubism art using artists like Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso.
Picasso fragmented and re-assembled the human form. Matisse distorted the human form in order to match the feelings and personality of the person. Many of his figured were exaggerated or elongated to create a sense of expression of the body.
Using your observational drawings and life drawings, create a composition of the human form to show movement. Use several poses and forms of the body and overlap your lines to create a Cubist -feel. When your lines are completed, you will know what part of the figures need to stand out with more detail, and what areas can be washed away with blocks of colour.
Picasso fragmented and re-assembled the human form. Matisse distorted the human form in order to match the feelings and personality of the person. Many of his figured were exaggerated or elongated to create a sense of expression of the body.
Using your observational drawings and life drawings, create a composition of the human form to show movement. Use several poses and forms of the body and overlap your lines to create a Cubist -feel. When your lines are completed, you will know what part of the figures need to stand out with more detail, and what areas can be washed away with blocks of colour.
|
Examine the two paintings on either side. Imagine these figures were overlapped into one continuous movement of the body. Set up your composition with this in mind. |
|
|
Once the overlapping lines and movement of your drawing have been established, use blocks of colour to fill in different shapes and areas of the body. Remember, not every part of the body needs to defined in detail. Use the image on the right to inspire you. Create a cubist image, using your movement and contour lines as a guide to add different colours within the same areas of the body. |
|
Be sure to complete the whole of your composition, covering most to all the blank areas of your page in blocks of colour. Use the techniques and styles of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse as inspiration to complete your work. Follow the lines, contours and movements of your observational drawings to create fluidity and balance. Think about your colour choices. Are you using monocramatic colours with different tones and shades of the same colour? Are you using colours that compliment one another? Pale colours, bold colours? Think wisely about your compostion choices and the kind of mood you want your piece to portray.
Comparing Human Figures
Michaelangelo and Leonardo Di Vinci
|
|
|
|
Observe the different realistic and muscular, human, figures of Michaelangelo and Leonardo Di Vinci to Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse's Cubist style of portraying the human figure.
Pick two of the four artists to research and compare their artistic works of the human body.
How is each figure portrayed? What stylistic features are involved within both types of figures?
Explain in detail, the various techniques used by each artist in producing their figures.
Define the difference in artistic time periods using examples to support your thoughts.
Are there any mathematical or scientific aspects to any of the drawings? If so, how are you able to tell?
In your opinion, which style do you prefer and why?
Pick two of the four artists to research and compare their artistic works of the human body.
How is each figure portrayed? What stylistic features are involved within both types of figures?
Explain in detail, the various techniques used by each artist in producing their figures.
Define the difference in artistic time periods using examples to support your thoughts.
Are there any mathematical or scientific aspects to any of the drawings? If so, how are you able to tell?
In your opinion, which style do you prefer and why?
