| Figure drawing is challenging. The act of rendering the | | | | the figure when it is standing erect. If the pose of your |
| human form accurately on paper can be intimidating | | | | figure changes, adjustments will obviously have to be |
| and frustrating if you try to tackle everything all at | | | | made. |
| once. It is for this reason that you should take things | | | | Artists will often use a pencil to take the head |
| one-step at a time and most importantly, practice! The | | | | measurement. Stand a reasonable distance from your |
| following article will provide you with some of the | | | | subject. Grab your pencil from the bottom as if you |
| basics for understanding how to approach your next | | | | were holding a hammer and extend your arm out fully |
| figure drawing project. | | | | in front of you toward the subject. Try and keep your |
| The very first thing you will need obviously is your | | | | head as still as possible. Make certain that you are |
| drawing supplies. Drawing does not have to be a very | | | | standing in the same spot each time you take |
| expensive art form. You can get started with a pencil | | | | measurements. Now closing one eye match the tip of |
| and paper if you so desire, but there are certain | | | | the pencil with the top of the subjects head. Place |
| supplies that will produce better results. It is quite | | | | your thumb on the pencil and slide it down until it |
| difficult to recommend the perfect materials as every | | | | matches with the bottom of the subjects chin. You |
| artist is different and therefore will have different | | | | now have taken the "head" measurement of your |
| preferences. Only time and experience will tell you | | | | subject, which will now serve as a reference for |
| what materials work best for your particular style. | | | | measuring the rest of your subject. |
| Your choice of materials will also depend on the | | | | When deciding on the type of pose for your figure |
| chosen subject matter. | | | | drawing make sure you choose one that looks natural. |
| The best advice would be to get a variety of different | | | | Your model will be holding his or her pose for a long |
| pencils and papers and simply experiment. You will | | | | period of time and should be comfortable and relaxed. |
| eventually come to like certain materials over others. | | | | Give your model adequate time to move around and |
| Get your self a pad of newsprint paper. Newsprint | | | | get settled. The more relaxed and natural the pose, |
| paper is fairly inexpensive and excellent for practice | | | | the more believable the final drawing or painting will be. |
| drawings, although you should not expect these | | | | If your model looks uncomfortable or awkward, your |
| drawing to last very long. They will more than likely | | | | painting or drawing will reflect that as well. |
| yellow over time. For your permanent drawings, a | | | | There are number of different lighting situations that |
| good quality paper is recommended. Strathmore is a | | | | you can create for your figure drawing or painting. Will |
| good brand to look into. You may want to start with a | | | | you be working indoors or outdoors? If indoors, will you |
| medium textured paper as it has enough "tooth" to | | | | be working in a room that has natural sunlight or will |
| hold a fair amount of medium, but smooth enough to | | | | you be using artificial light? What direction will the light |
| allow for detailed work. You will also need a good size | | | | source come from? Will there be multiple light |
| drawing board that is smooth and flat for your drawing | | | | sources? If you are a beginner, you may want to |
| surface. | | | | create a lighting effect that strikes your model from |
| Before you even lift a pencil, you should have a basic | | | | only one direction and illuminates your figure only |
| understanding of human anatomy. When you study | | | | partially, thereby creating more shadow. This will make |
| anatomy, you will learn more about the construction of | | | | for a much easier figure drawing. As you gain more |
| the human body and its proportions. You will also have | | | | experience, you can then move on to more complex |
| a basic understanding of the muscles and tendons and | | | | lighting effects. |
| how they direct and control the body. There is no | | | | When you begin your drawing, you should not be |
| need to get carried away and memorize every | | | | overly concerned with getting every detail correct in |
| muscle, bone, and tendon in the human body; just a | | | | your figure or other objects that make up your |
| fundamental understanding should suffice. | | | | drawing. Many beginners fall into this trap and ultimately |
| Getting the proportions correct in your figure drawing is | | | | wind up with a drawing that is out of proportion or that |
| one of the biggest challenges you will face as a | | | | just looks wrong. Study your subject, squint your eyes |
| beginner. It is for this reason that a unit of | | | | and try to locate the basic shapes that make up your |
| measurement was established using the models head. | | | | subject. |
| This is the distance from the top of the head to the | | | | Figure drawing and painting is a vast subject and this |
| bottom of the chin. 7 ½ to 8 heads is the standard | | | | article only touches on some of the basics. You should |
| measurement that has been developed for the height | | | | definitely take classes or workshops and practice your |
| of an erect figure. This measurement can vary | | | | figure drawing with live models. Purchase a few good |
| depending on the subject so you may have to make | | | | books on figure drawing and anatomy. Join discussion |
| adjustments to your figure drawing. You should realize | | | | groups and ask questions. Most importantly though, |
| that the measurement of 7 ½ heads corresponds to | | | | keep practicing and never give up. |