| 
  • If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.

  • You already know Dokkio is an AI-powered assistant to organize & manage your digital files & messages. Very soon, Dokkio will support Outlook as well as One Drive. Check it out today!

View
 

Observational Figure Drawing UPDATED

Page history last edited by Frank Curkovic 12 years, 6 months ago

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

 

 

NOTE: This page is being edited as the weeks progress

 

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.

 

Lesson 2:

Warm-up: 30 second gesture drawings using Posemaniacs:

YouTube plugin error

 

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.) 

YouTube plugin error

 

Week 2 - cont'd (Aug. 28-Sept. 3)

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. 

YouTube plugin error

 

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.

YouTube plugin error

 

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.

YouTube plugin error


 

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. 4-10)

Lesson 1 & 2

As week 2

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

 

Homework: Create a series of seated figure drawings (series is for you to interpret). (Required-2 weeks to complete) 

 

Week 4 - Foreshortening

Warm-up (optional at discretion of teacher): 3x Gesture drawing, 2x Continuous line drawing in various seated and standing positions.

YouTube plugin error

 

Task 1: View Mantegna's "Lamentation over the Dead Christ" (c. 1490). What do you notice about the perspective?

Listen to a podcast about the work here.

 

Task 2: View the following video:

YouTube plugin error

 

Task 3: Using Posemaniacs, students complete various 30 second gesture sketches in pencil with foreshortening.

 

Task 4: Students complete a foreshortened drawing in charcoal or coloured pencil (A4 size) using a measurement method of their choice. Depending on medium, students may wish to use coloured paper.

 

Homework: complete task 4 (Required) 

Continue week 4 series of seated figure drawings (series is for you to interpret). (Required-2 weeks to complete)

 

Week 5- Foreshortening cont'd

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

 

Task 1 (40 mins): Students complete a foreshortened drawing in soft pastel using a measurement method of their choice. 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: TBA 

 

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

Comments (0)

You don't have permission to comment on this page.