Gesture Drawing
1mo
Spyridon Panagiotopoulos
I need help. For the past 7 years, trying to learn Gesture Drawing has always lead me to horrible burn-out, stress and a long break from drawing (2-3 months to a year). It's coming to the point where I have really started to believe that it is hopeless, a person of my age (40) has no hope to pick this skill I was forbidden to learn as a kid, and always envied.
I have had successes in prior years, and some really good drawings in the past (especially in 2022), and while I am still bad at drawing, this year (starting April of 2024) I saw improvement. With patience and insistence, I could draw. And slowly, bit by bit, I did improve. Coming to this summer's challenge, and the exercises in MV perspective course, I really felt I had a chance to break through the stalemate, and finally start creating my stories.
But, like the past 7 years, Gesture comes in, and beats me to a pulp. After stressful session of horrid failure after stressful session of horrid failure, 0 progress, and 3 full courses behind (plus one ongoing, with mr Hampton), this time I really felt I am just worthless when it comes to Gesture. I just don't get it. It's impossible to me to make anything resembling what I see other students and artists do.
I feel stressed beyond belief. I am about to give a lifelong dream, but I honestly feel it's hopeless now. And this time my vow stands, if I burn-out/give-up, it's over for good. No more courses, no more videos, no more pencil and paper.
So, I turn to anyone who might have any idea, in a final desperate attempt. Is there ANYTHING that could help me make even the tiniest bit of progress, something to give me hope (aside from words) that I am not truly hopeless? Any technique?
I attach my horrid failures for reference. I do not ask for critique explicitly. My "attempts" are so worthless, critiquing them would be like offering anger management lessons to a feral cat. But if anyone has been in my position, and overcame it, I welcome any advice.
Hey! First of all, I just want to say that the drawings you're showing here are anything but horrid. They simply reflect your current level and understanding of gesture drawing, and it’s clear that you're no beginner. I find it really admirable that you're continuing to pursue your childhood dream, and if I were you, I definitely wouldn’t give up.
Gesture drawing can feel a bit enigmatic for many artists and is actually supposed to flow effortlessly. In your drawings, there’s a bit of visible tension, and in a way, you might be taking the gesture a little too seriously. Gesture, in essence, is an abstraction, and like any abstraction, it relies on all the knowledge you’ve built up.
So, the best way to improve your gesture drawing at this point might actually be to focus on completely different aspects—such as artistic anatomy. Studying how bones are structured, where muscles attach, and how they function will naturally enhance your gesture work. From time to time, after gaining more "explicit knowledge"—for example, learning about the structure of the leg—you can return to gesture drawing and will likely notice an improvement. More foundational knowledge will strengthen your ability to capture gestures.
To put it simply: I'm very confident that diving into artistic anatomy and the geometric construction of the body will also deepen your understanding of gesture drawing. And most importantly—try to stay relaxed! A gesture should just be the starting point of a drawing.
I’d also recommend checking out Bridgman’s books—he takes a slightly different approach to rhythm, which can be really enriching for gesture drawing.
Thank you for your time and detailed reply!
Gesture has been different from all other aspects of drawing I am practicing. Up to now all parts of drawing, even simplification, followed a clear route to the final result. And you either got it, or mistakes are plain to the eye once you take the time to look. Gesture was not. But I guess it's an even more advanced form of simplification, an abstraction that will come with further and further practice, even if it feels no progress is being made.
I will try to check Bridgman, I am already looking around for the books, but aside from drawing from life, the rest are quite hard to find in Greece, or rather expensive to order from abroad. If not for bridgman, is there a similar more modern alternative? In the off-chance I can get their book?
•
1mo
I agree with @Josef Knoll here. Bridgman is a great resource to study from but I think should always come with a disclaimer 😂 Proko has a great video on how you should go about studying Bridgman drawings here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpnP28b3riY. Bridgman is a master of structure, which is really the counterbalance of gesture, but if you've seen his drawings you know they are anything but stiff. His structure is based off of gesture, which is a complicated idea to start with. Absolutely worth studying, just keeping in mind the context of Bridgman's lessons.
@Spyridon Panagiotopoulos Your drawings aren't cause for giving up (no drawing truly is). They also shouldn't be the reason for you not creating your stories. The best way to improve is 'on the job training.' Make your stories and your art will improve. Keep practicing and learning alongside your work, stay consistent, and look at other artists' work as levels to aspire to instead of comparing your work -- like comparing apples to oranges, everyone's path is different, though everyone struggles with the plateaus just the same. I enjoy seeing your work here and hope to continue seeing your contributions. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here.
Asked for help
I could not find the option while posting, but saw it now, so I will click it. I will not she it as an excuse to 'bump', just this once to formally request help
(This may not be the feedback you're looking for - it's not really about your drawings)
I resonated a lot with your post in art (music and drawing) and other aspects in my life.
For your work specifically, I could tell EXACTLY what was happening in every pose and they also had emotions associated with them! Perfect! A master illustrator who has been doing comics for 19 years I'm SURE could have technical feedback. More importantly...
When you were a kid and wanted to draw, or maybe when you want to create now, or want to express an emotion, what do you think of? I think it's just time to start doing that. Create stuff. You must be a creative person. CREATE STUFF. Create something from start to finish - with mistakes left alone. Stop practicing!
