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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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. 🙏
Educator, painter, writer, and art historian. Author of Figure Drawing: Design and Invention.
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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:
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:
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:
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!