01-29-2016, 06:29 AM
Not sure if I have the right answer to that. I have a background in a bit of product drawing, so the focus there was basic shapes, construction and perspective. But that was a long time ago. And I just started of with portraits and studied a lot of books (not so good on the creative side, better at the technical side) and notice that I miss observation and accuracy and perspective.. So yeah :P
I guess it also depends on the person, something with natural talent, things that come easier for you, things you find difficult.
About the gesture, I get the feeling from hearing other artists talk about gesture that it is something you need to keep doing because it gives your character more loose and dynamic poses. Gesture is really about capturing the movement, the feeling. And especially with the short time poses it won't give you much time to think about porportions and such. When you learn porportions and anatomy, the gestures will also look better because you are able to apply those without spending more time on it. It is one of those things that typically strengthen each other.
The book I meant was Figure drawing from Micheal Hamption, but I see you have that one already on your list. It helped me quite a lot with getting my portraits better.
And sorry for my rambling, I hope it helps a bit.
I guess it also depends on the person, something with natural talent, things that come easier for you, things you find difficult.
About the gesture, I get the feeling from hearing other artists talk about gesture that it is something you need to keep doing because it gives your character more loose and dynamic poses. Gesture is really about capturing the movement, the feeling. And especially with the short time poses it won't give you much time to think about porportions and such. When you learn porportions and anatomy, the gestures will also look better because you are able to apply those without spending more time on it. It is one of those things that typically strengthen each other.
The book I meant was Figure drawing from Micheal Hamption, but I see you have that one already on your list. It helped me quite a lot with getting my portraits better.
And sorry for my rambling, I hope it helps a bit.