Figure Drawing For Dummies

Kensuke Okabayashi

• Publisher: For Dummies
• Year: 2011
• Print ISBN: 9780470390733
• eBook ISBN: 9780470465370
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Art
• Subtopic: Art General

Figure Drawing For Dummies appeals to both new art students and veteran artists who find it difficult to proportionally draw the human form. The illustrations and examples in Figure Drawing For Dummies are designed to help readers capture this elusive figure.

Part I

Figure Drawing 101

In this part . . .

Welcome to Figure Drawing 101! Whether you’re drawing the human form for the first time or you’re a serious artist looking to hone your figure-drawing skills, this part is designed to get you started off on the right foot. No matter your background, you’re in for an awesome ride.

In this part, you get up to speed on rounding up the necessary drawing materials so you can get started on basic drawing principles and techniques. Throughout this part, you try some basic drawing exercises that are designed not only to loosen your wrist, but also to help you become familiar with the tools. You can think of them as warm-up exercises.

If you’re ready, turn the page and prepare to discover the world of figure drawing!

Chapter 1

Welcome to the Joys of Figure Drawing

In This Chapter

Going over basic materials and techniques

Depicting the head and body

Taking your skills to the next level

People surround you on a daily basis (unless you’re on a deserted island), yet the art of figure drawing remains full of puzzles and surprises. As someone who draws the figure, your mission (should you choose to accept it!) is to record your reaction to a figure’s pose or action.

Whether you’re a beginner who’s new to drawing the human figure or a serious art student looking to hone your figure-drawing skills, you’re in good hands. In this chapter, I introduce you to the fundamentals of figure drawing, including the materials and techniques you need. Sharpen your pencil, get out your sketchbook, and get ready to draw!

Finding the Right Drawing Materials

Like using the correct eating utensil at the dinner table, finding the right materials for figure drawing is important. Why? Nothing is more frustrating than trying to get a certain line quality (such as the fine line of an eyelid) when you have the wrong tool (like, in this instance, a thick charcoal stick).

In Chapter 2, I provide a list of drawing materials for your consideration. Although you don’t need to buy all the materials I list there at once, start off by visiting your local art store and trying out some pencils. I recommend starting with softer pencils, such as the Faber-Castell 9000 8B. Depending on how much time you have to draw, you may want to get at least five. In addition, I recommend bringing an 18-x-24-inch sketchpad to your figure-drawing class; it’s large enough to let you experiment with drawing various sizes, and it also gives the instructor enough space to make notes or drawing corrections on the side of your figure drawings.

If you’re new to drawing the figure, don’t worry about splurging on fancy equipment at first. However, make sure your working area is well lit so your eyes aren’t strained. I notice many students are used to working in dimly lit situations (perhaps due to the habit of working with computer monitors). Depending on how many hours you work, strain on the eyes can lead to irritation and possible damage in the long run. In my case, I set up two lights on my desktop surface. Check out Chapter 2 for full details on setting up a drawing studio.

Getting a Grip on Drawing Basics

Before you dive into drawing the figure, you need to warm up your drawing muscles. Flip to the exercises in Chapter 3, which are simple and fun to do; in addition to serving the purpose of loosening up your wrist, you’re also training your hand to become more familiar with using your drawing tools. Here’s what you can expect:

I start with exercises on lines, curves, and basic geometric shapes.

I introduce basic principles of lights and shadows. By changing the light source, you change the narrative mood of the figure.

The types of hatching and other shading techniques that I apply to the figure enhance the illusion of a three-dimensional object “popping” off a two-dimensional flat surface.

Part of what makes figure drawing so spontaneous is that you don’t have to completely erase the lines that may appear to be errant. I demonstrate tips you can use with or without your kneaded eraser.

Drawing the Head

No part of the human figure draws more attention than the head. It’s the area we use to recognize one another. The features that incorporate all five senses are also located on the head. In Part II, I give you a heads-up on the following topics:

The head’s basic shape: In its most simple form, the basic head shape is essentially a spherical object that at first glance looks like an egg. As the figure matures from infancy to adulthood, the bone structures adjust to the growing proportion of the body in part by fusing together. In Chapter 4, I walk you through different techniques for drawing the basic shape of the head at different ages and from different views.

Facial features: When you examine the head more closely, you’ll find that it consists of a series of complex interlocking bones covered with cartilage for the nose and ears and multiple layers of muscle groups that control the movements of the jaw and mouth. And don’t forget the eyes! I expl...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• Title Page
• Introduction
• Part I: Figure Drawing 101
• Part II: Off to a Head Start
• Part III: Building the Body
• Part IV: Sharpening Your Figure-Drawing Skills
• Part V: The Part of Tens
• Cheat Sheet