Character Sketch

A Drawing Course for Costume Designers

Helen Q Huang

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2018
• eBook ISBN: 9781317485865
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Theatre

Character Sketch outlines a theory of costume rendering that explores how a designer conceptualizes and creates a character on the page. Beginning with how to develop a sense of character through active, gestural poses, this book explores and explains the process of drawing and painting from rough sketch to finished rendering.

Helen Q. Huang ???, an award-winning costume designer for more than 25 years, breaks down her process, from understanding body proportions and active poses to applying research and color concepts to renderings. Her step-by-step watercolor painting techniques cover mixing skin tones, blending colors, and applying paint in different methods for a variety of fabric textures and patterns.

Showcasing how to capture a character on the page, Character Sketch is a must-read for any costume designer looking to communicate their artistic vision.

CHAPTER 1

CREATING THE SKETCH

CREATING THE SKETCH

PROPORTIONS OF THE FIGURE

One common way to understand the proportions of the body is to map out key points in the figure using the length of the head as a unit of measure. By comparing the length of the head to other distances on the body we begin to train our eye to see the proportions of the figure. The height of the head then becomes a “ruler” by which we can begin to understand and compare the rest of the vertical measures in a body.

Many figure drawing texts declare that the human figure is typically 8 heads tall. In my experience, this results in a long and idealized figure appropriate to fashion illustration. I prefer to utilize a more realistic sense of proportion and work with a figure that is 7½ heads of vertical space.

Here you can see the relative measures of both the male and female form. You can use the length of the head to find the placement of the nipples, the navel, the crotch, the mid-thigh, the base of the knee, and the ankle. Note that the feet will take roughly a ½ head of vertical space.

FIGURE 1.1Male 7½ Head Division

FIGURE 1.2Female 7½ Head Division

Let’s look at the proportions of the 7½-head figure as seen in real people. You will notice there is some variation among individuals, which is natural. You should view the 7½-head standard as a guide rather than as an ironclad rule. Regardless of how tall a person is, you can observe how parts of the body relate to each other similarly in different statures; for example in most people the wrists fall at the crotch level and the elbows generally land at the navel. Take time to observe people around you to get comfortable gauging these proportions.

FIGURE 1.3Actor Biko Eisen-Martin in Mock-up Fitting
Photo by author.

FIGURE 1.4Actress Brynn Tucker in Mock-up Fitting
Photo by author.

GESTURE SKETCHES

Once you have an understanding of the proportions of the human form, begin working towards capturing the entire body in a few quick strokes. This is called a Gesture Sketch. By practicing these quick sketches you will become comfortable in capturing the energy of an active body, which in turn will make your renderings feel like real people on the page. This is incredibly beneficial when sharing your ide...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction: The Act of Drawing is the Act of Design
• Chapter 1 Creating the Sketch
• Chapter 2 Watercolor Techniques
• Chapter 3 Putting Skills into Practice
• Chapter 4 Costume Sketch Gallery
• List of Key Terms and Techniques