07-29-2016, 12:04 AM
Hey Wing!
Just half a year ago I was struggling with the same thing as you. I was given a Loomis figure drawing book then and had a tough start with it. Here is what I figured out:
- I did tens of quick sketches of those easiest manneqiun poses, basicaly a whole a4 for every single pose (as with those in attachement). I haven't precisely measured all of them, I made simple lines, but aimed at balanced poses rather than perfectly proportional. I think it is cruicial, because thinking about balace will make it easier to capture mass later. Also, by copying these poses so many times, they started to stick to my memory and I had at least a few not that stiff poses in my mind.
- Don't get discouraged when working with those later mannequins. Loomis used all his knowledge about anatomy drawing them, yours won't look so awesome.
- You can practice using these mannequins doing gesture drawings - these can be extremely fun to do. It won't be a gesture drawing practice per se, cause perfect flow of the figure, line of action etc. is IMO less important when you start. Putting large masses in places and feeling the balance is the thing. Search in google for "gesture drawing references", there are a bunch of online apps to practice 'em.
- Don't fall into 'study only' trap. Use your new knowledge in some joyful way. Studying can be a real energy sucker, do some funny personal stuff (if you struggle with ideas, random character generator or sth alike may help)
I am just one step ahead so these may be not The Best Advices. I don't know if it helps, hope it at least won't make you stupider :) Keep working hard dude!
Just half a year ago I was struggling with the same thing as you. I was given a Loomis figure drawing book then and had a tough start with it. Here is what I figured out:
- I did tens of quick sketches of those easiest manneqiun poses, basicaly a whole a4 for every single pose (as with those in attachement). I haven't precisely measured all of them, I made simple lines, but aimed at balanced poses rather than perfectly proportional. I think it is cruicial, because thinking about balace will make it easier to capture mass later. Also, by copying these poses so many times, they started to stick to my memory and I had at least a few not that stiff poses in my mind.
- Don't get discouraged when working with those later mannequins. Loomis used all his knowledge about anatomy drawing them, yours won't look so awesome.
- You can practice using these mannequins doing gesture drawings - these can be extremely fun to do. It won't be a gesture drawing practice per se, cause perfect flow of the figure, line of action etc. is IMO less important when you start. Putting large masses in places and feeling the balance is the thing. Search in google for "gesture drawing references", there are a bunch of online apps to practice 'em.
- Don't fall into 'study only' trap. Use your new knowledge in some joyful way. Studying can be a real energy sucker, do some funny personal stuff (if you struggle with ideas, random character generator or sth alike may help)
I am just one step ahead so these may be not The Best Advices. I don't know if it helps, hope it at least won't make you stupider :) Keep working hard dude!