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Observational Figure Drawing

Page history last edited by Frank Curkovic 11 years, 4 months ago

http://www.arludik.com/oeuvresE/Keane/kean.htm

 

 

Summative Figure Planning

Partner with someone. 

One act as photographer, the other as model. (then switch if required)

1. seated (chair vs. floor)

2. stand

3. reclined

4. ?

USE DIFFERENT ANGLES AND POINT OF VIEWS. WILL YOUR POSE COMMUNICATE AN EMOTION, OR WILL YOU FOCUS ON TECHNIQUE ONLY?

 

Import your photos, make adjustments/crops as necessary. 

Print 4-6 on 1 page. THIS IS DUE FOR NEXT CLASS.

When selected, print your final full page.

 

Research for today:

Consider what medium you will use. What do you wish to convey? Will you focus on mood or technique? Is there anyone you can take inspiration from? Will you substitute colours? Why? Will you focus on form or line? Will you incorporate pattern or decorative elements? 

Start gathering research/planning. Gather images to use as reference and inspiration.

DOCUMENT THIS IN YOUR RED NOTE BOOKS (AS WELL AS YOUR TOP 5 PHOTOS THAT YOU TOOK TODAY)

 

I would like you to start your final piece by next class.

 

 

8 weeks (2x80 minutes a week)

 

"Observe everything. Communicate well.

Draw, draw, draw."

-Frank Thomas, Disney Animator

 

Unit Title: Figure it Out 

Objective: Students create a foreshortened figure drawing composition in a dry medium of their choice with correct proportions, value/tone and gradation.

Students are evaluated on knowledge, process, participation as well as product.

*lessons and assignments may be subject to change

 

Observational Figure Drawing outcomes (Concepts, skills, knowledge, rubric etc.)

 

Whilst drawing in class, students should take side notes on their drawings on ways to improve etc. These notes are also assessed.

 

Week 1 - Measuring the human figure (Aug. 21-27) 

Lesson 1:

Warm-up: Line of action for various poses using Posemaniacs (Line of action example here).

 

Task 1: How many heads? This can vary, but most humans are 7-9 heads long.

A student will act as a model. Using your pencil as a measurement tool, first observe...

  • How many head lengths is the model?
  • How many head widths is the model (the shoulder area)? (2 if the head is rotated horizontally)
  • How many head lengths are the arms/legs?
  • How many head lengths are the arms outstretched?
  • Where is the bend line in the human form?

 

Transfer the measurements to paper using marker (3x). First use a yellow marker to mark out your measuring. Next use a darker marker to outline the figure. Neutral standing poses (frontal view). Students should make notes on their drawings for areas to improve.

 

Homework: 

Otis faculty Chris Warner teaches helpful techniques for Gesture Drawing used in Life Drawing class.

 

Lesson 2:

Warm-up: 30 second gesture drawings using Posemaniacs:

 

Task 2: Model (standing position only)

Students will act as models for 10-15 minute standing in neutral poses (frontal view). Create the measurements on paper with yellow marker at first, then use a darker colour to outline. Students should make notes on their drawings for areas to improve.

 

Homework:

The following video offers some good tips. (You do not need to memorize these measurements.) 

 

Week 2 - cont'd (Aug. 27-Aug. 31)

Lesson 1

Warm-up: 

Continuous Contour Drawing of a Figure (10mins). Similar to the video below, but not blind. Draw s-l-o-w-l-y following edges. Do not worry about proportions etc. 

 

Task 1: Model pose as last week x2.

Task 2: Intro to foreshortening with a seated figure. Teacher to demo measuring. Create the measurements on paper with yellow marker at first, then use a darker colour to outline. Students should make notes on their drawings for areas to improve.

 

Homework: 

Structural Life Drawing with Gary Geraths (Otis College) This video shows the first steps in creating a gestural, anatomical, and structured life drawing from a live model. Gary Geraths is a professor in the exceptional Foundation Program at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles.

 

Lesson 2

Foreshortening with a seated figure cont'd. Create the measurements on paper with yellow marker at first, then use a darker colour to outline. Students should make notes on their drawings for areas to improve.

Task 1: Measuring Method 2 (in pencil).

With a model, students will have 10-15 minutes each to complete 2-3 drawings using the measurement technique demonstrated in class using marker.


 

Students should make notes for areas to improve or for areas to focus on etc.

 

Homework: Create a drawing of a seated figure in marker or pencil in your sketchbook (full page). 

 

 

Week 3 - Measuring 2 & Foreshortening (Sept. 3-7)

Lesson 1 & 2

As week 2

With a model, students will have 15-20 minutes each to complete approximately 3 drawings using the measurement technique demonstrated in class with marker. Students should take notes on strengths/weaknesses/goals + areas to improve

 

Homework: Gather basic biographical information on 2 of the following artists: 

  • Toulouse Lautrec
  • Egon Schiele
  • Edgar Degas
  • Gustav Klimt 
  • Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres
  • Leonardo Da Vinci 

Gather several pictures that illustrate how the artist chose to represent the human form. Cite and reference your work. 

(Due week 4) - This forms your assessment under Criteria A: Investigation

 

Week 4 - Foreshortening (Sept 10-14)

Warm-up (optional at discretion of teacher): 

 

 

Students complete a foreshortened drawings in charcoal where they will block in forms. How is this medium and approach different?

 

Homework: 

Produce a series of sketches of figures exploring the style of the artists you researched in various, but suitable media. Do not copy their drawings, but use their style to draw from observation. (Due week 5) This forms your assessment under Criteria A: Investigation

 

Week 5- Foreshortening cont'd (Sept. 17-21)

Warm-up: Various timed gesture drawings (3mins, 1min, 30sec, 10sec)

 

Task 1 (40 mins): Students complete a foreshortened drawing in soft pastel. Depending on medium, students may wish to use coloured paper.

(Foreshortened figure drawing by Harry Carmean)

 

Task 2 (20 mins): Experimentation

Create a foreshortened figure drawing in pencil from observation. Do not worry so much about correct proportions. Make it expressive! 

 

 

 

 

Homework:

 Critical Analysis & Interpretation: Continuing from your previous research under week 3, compare and contrast your 2 artists and styles focusing on 2 pieces of work. Use the "Analysing an Image" sheet for guidance. (Due week 6) This forms your assessment under Criteria A: Investigation

 

Week 6 - Summative Assessment Task

Warm-up: Figure painting (20mins.) using 2 colours to show shadow and highlight.

 

Summative assessment task: Create a foreshortened figure drawing in a medium of your choice (pencil, coloured pencil, charcoal, soft pastel, oil pastel). You will be evaluated on proportion (including foreshortening), value/tone, gradation and composition. Due week 8.

View rubric.

 

Homework: No homework is given during week 6 and 7 as students are to work on their summative assessment task. Students are also encouraged to use the art room during their free time. 

 

Week 7 - cont'd

Students continue working on their summative task.

 

Homework: No homework is given during week 6 and 7 as students are to work on their summative assessment task. Students are also encouraged to use the art room during their free time. Summative assessment task due next week!

 

Week 8 - Presentation

Students present work and write reflections.

 

Reflection:

Describe the difficulties you had in this unit.
What do you think you have learned, or improved on in this project?
If you had to repeat this project, what would you further improve on or do differently and why?

 

 

Student work from 2010:

 

Teacher Resources:

http://www.drawspace.com/lessons/h17/figure-drawing-basics

Glen Keane Gallery: http://www.arludik.com/oeuvresE/Keane/kean.htm

Watch the following video and then try in class with a model (10-15minutes).

Flowing Contours from Bill Buchman on Vimeo.

 

 

 

Students may also be interested in:

Tips for drawing hands

In this tutorial Artist will include many tips about drawing hands he has picked up which are useful for getting better at drawing hands, including foreshortening, nails, and finger shapes.

Screenshot

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