Project - First Steps to Mastering Gesture
Project - First Steps to Mastering Gesture
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Project - First Steps to Mastering Gesture

1.1K

Project - First Steps to Mastering Gesture

1.1K

For your homework this week, you'll be doing a series of gesture drawings. Use the six steps to break the body down into asymmetries, focusing on keeping within that 16 to 17 line ballpark.

I'd like you to:

  • Do 10 gesture drawings from master copies.
  • Do 10 gesture drawings from your imagination.

Master Copies

When I say "master copies," I mean drawings from any artists or sources that you like. Masters are not limited to classical artists like Michelangelo or Rubens. They can be from comics, video games, movies, or anything that inspires you.  Go online and get art from the masters you love and admire! Draw from a range of contemporary to classical masters to broaden your understanding of gesture.

In the upcoming assignment demos, I will be drawing from:

  • Michelangelo
  • Rubens
  • Rodin
  • Rob Liefeld 
  • Abby from The Last of Us (Her body language communicates different emotions throughout the game and I want to show that you can draw from 3D reference as well.)
  • Kratos from God of War (The evolution of his pose and body type tells an interesting story.)

You do not need to draw from these masters, they are only suggestions.

I believe that 3D character artists have just as much understanding of gesture, body language, movement, and dynamics as 2D concept artists. So, feel free to draw from 3D models, concept art, or any visual media where these principles are evident.

For other teachers, it might be unconventional to mix these sources, but I encourage you to use anything you like. The key is that the principles of gesture and asymmetry are present.

Drawing from Your Imagination

For the last part of the assignment, try 10 gesture drawings from your imagination. I know this is more challenging, especially with a new technique, but drawing from your head helps you:

  • Disconnect from needing to represent something specific.
  • Quickly learn what you don't understand.
  • Identify areas where you need more focus.

If you're having trouble drawing gestures from imagination, try this: look at a reference photo, then visualize that same pose from a different angle and draw it. Or, use the reference as inspiration to create a follow-up pose from your imagination. I have included a handful of reference photos in the downloads section that you can use for this purpose. Give it a try!

This exercise will help you come back to your work with fresh eyes and a better understanding of where to improve.

* * *

Submit your assignment drawings (and reference images!) by March 5th for a chance to be included in the video critique. The Critique video should come out about a week after the due date.

Good luck with your homework this week!

Newest
You Ji An
10 gesture drawings from imagintion I find myself constantly making the lower body too short and had to readjust
You Ji An
10 gesture drawings from master copies - 5 based on anime figurines - 5 based on manga art
D Rivera
16d
Studies from various artists I admire. I feel like I did some better than others.
Jacob Granillo
Wow, Nice gestures Rivera
@jthompson
28d
Did this gesture of Guts and Griffith from Berserk. Definitely find doing the legs to be harder than the torso!
@purple_olive
finished the master copy, will do the gestures from imagination tomorrow
@purple_olive
and here they are from imagination
Ssss 13
1mo
Ssss 13
1mo
Michael Longhurst
I used a few comic/ graphic novel artists for my master studies. The other three pages are from imagination. Some better than others. Still trying to get a handle on drawing the motion, not the shapes/outlines. Also struggled with some snowman effect. Fun project though!
ceyhan
1mo
Ten gestures studies from ballet poses. drawing with clean-confident lines was much more harder than i have anticipated.
@luckypuck
3mo
Here are my latest master's sketches, it was harder than I anticipated
Melanie Scearce
These are beautiful! I especially love how you interpreted the Edward Francis McCarten sculpture ❤️
@luckypuck
3mo
@luckypuck
3mo
@kumaika
3mo
here are 10 or so from imagination. i feel like i'm not using enough diagonals and even though they're probably 17 lines or less i think they're too busy or i'm not placing the lines properly. i'm hoping for some constructive criticism before i do the 10 studies but if not i'll probably do them soon.
@kumaika
2mo
here are the 10 from reference. I'm not particularly happy with all of them but it's been so long I had to finish this up so I can move on. i feel like most of them convey what I want them to but i'm still not sure if any of these conform to the method well enough. As to how pleasing they look at this point I think that will only come with developing my line confidence.
Michael Hampton
You're really close. I think the lines still sit a bit too close to being symmetrical. I'd push more for that offset exaggeration and make sure you're not closing off shapes.
Lane Campbell
Here's the improvised, was only able to do 8 tonight, finishing the last 2 tomorrow
Lane Campbell
here's the last gesture, of the mother of achilles, thetis, pleading with Jove (zues) to be with her son against the king agamemnon since i started reading the illiad earlier lol
Lane Campbell
I'm having a lot of troube with this to be totally honest with you, im really trying to not draw the contour, but i cant really get that through my head
Gannon Beck
Ten gestures from imagination. About two minutes each on these.
Jyayasi (*Jay-o-she*)
Balanced yet powerful poses!
Gannon Beck
Ten gestures studies of some of my favorite artists.
Jyayasi (*Jay-o-she*)
Dynamic lines and shapes! Looks so effortless!
Mario Ulloa
10 Gestures from Comics and one video game and 10 gestures from imagination
@thaihoch
4mo
Enjoyed the exercise Michael. Some of the poses I'm not sure if I got the thoracic and lumbar right. I'd love some feedback!
Covenant Abu
Hello everyone Thanks Mr Hampton for this wonderful course... My knowledge and skill in gesture drawing has increased a lot... Here's my assignment... 1. Me following along with your drawing 2 & 3. 5 master studies and 5 from models 4. My 10 from imagination I would appreciate a critique. 🙏
Zander Schmer-Lalama
Here’s my gesture from master. Some I think I did okay on and others don’t look so well. Feedback is appreciated!
Martin Defensor
My drawings for this lesson.
Mariëlle van Rijn
My first steps in rethinking drawing from focusing on exteriors to the idea of the interior.
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Educator, painter, writer, and art historian. Author of Figure Drawing: Design and Invention.
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