Project - The Shape Method
Project - The Shape Method
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Project - The Shape Method
courseThe Gesture CourseFull course (27 lessons)
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assignments 44 submissions
Jyayasi (*Jay-o-she*)
Had a lot of fun with these! I tried modifying the shapes into stylized ones and exaggerating the pose as well. It was hard to draw stylized forms in perspective and maintaining the relative proportions. However, I encountered a problem in the stylized characters in 9 and 11. These poses look heavily foreshortened and I didn't intend so. It seems to me that the proportions of my characters are responsible for this illusion. Or am I doing something wrong? As I do not intend to make this kind of foreshortening, is there a way to avoid this kind of distortion with the same stylization choices?
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ASSIGNMENTS

Use the provided figure references to practice The Shape Method. We'll be using the same photo set as our previous assignment so you can compare your approach in these two methods.

Focus on:

  • Part-to-part drawing
  • Gesture of each part
  • Wrapping lines for perspective
  • Working from head to foot

Tips for Success

  • Be patient — this method might feel unfamiliar if you're used to a different approach.
  • Don’t be hard on yourself — it’s okay if it feels awkward at first.
  • Have fun with it — try exaggerating shapes or modifying forms to better connect with the method.

Hard Mode

  • Want to increase the difficulty? Modify the forms and exaggerate the figures into new and stylized body types!

Deadline - submit by May 2, 2025 for a chance to be in the critique video!

Newest
@gothamdemon
This was more fun to me as it felt more natural to how I draw. Will redo this assignment as I feel I still use more work on the connecting of parts and lines to each other that may be missing. Def a learning curve. Any feedback is appreciated.
Michael Hampton
Looking good. Nice flow throughout. Now Id take a closer look at proportions. Sometimes the heads are getting a little small relative to the torso length and or width. Keep at it!
@sergeishimwe
an other quick study, really enjoying the shape method , but still struggling ...., great course
Michael Hampton
Great studies!
@sergeishimwe
This is my attempt to compare both style
Kolega
1mo
Are wrapping lines always necessary for gesture?
Michael Hampton
Not necessary. I use them as a short hand for 3 dimensional directions. You can leave that element out if you like and focus on shape.
Lee Widegren Lundin
Finally doing a few more of these and complete going through the course. Gonna try to do more modified studies in the afternoon.
Lee Widegren Lundin
Here are some modified studies with more exaggerated body shapes.
Tohega
3mo
Here is my assignment, maybe it’s helpful to some. Definitely used a lot more observation. I feel like the wrapping lines are really helpful to indicate when a pose is twisting its torso. Onto the demos & critique next! Any feedback/critique is always welcome :)
Michael Hampton
Looking good!
Covenant Abu
Hello everyone... Here's my assignment using the shape method... Thanks a lot Mr Hampton for the course... I'm really grateful and exited to have learnt this...
Lee Widegren Lundin
First attempt after watching the videos on the shape method. Going to do some more and do these final practises of the course :)
@kumaika
6mo
i've somehow managed to get worse as i move through these. line quality, line economy, proportion,rhythm, etc..these are the first 8 though. i'll have to finish this up soon.
@kumaika
6mo
the day i submitted these michael uploaded a video talking about burnout. i'm probably burnt out, so i'm taking a lot of breaks now. i managed to do 9 & 10 though.
Josh Fiddler
All 28 before watching the demo.
Josh Fiddler
Okay, So here's a set from after watching the demo and trying to simplify things. I spent more time looking at connection, simpler shape design, while also trying to find the modifications for the body type presented.
@hastings_jon
Just got round to doing the rest of the images! Still tricky!
Andrea Böhm
They are look like they are wearing some strange swimsuit ...
Mon Barker
7mo
Not completely convinced that I’m not just drawing outline using c and s curves to be honest….but I think I get the difference between shape approach vs gesture approach I.e. this is more part to part whilst gesture is connecting through parts with perceived rhythms(?) I think I also was too part to part in the gesture approach however as my drawings with both approaches look eerily similar 🤔
@purpleart
7mo
Some more. I am realising how important line quality and confidence is to the final appearance to these gestures. Also form intersections are vital but I haven't got the hang of those yet. It's a lot to think about while also trying to learn this method.
Randy P
7mo
My submission for the shape assignment.
@hastings_jon
Here are my attempts:
Nuria Lluch
And a few attempts of stylized.
Nuria Lluch
Some more
Nuria Lluch
Hi! Here're my attempts.
Melanie Scearce
You’re getting it! Good job using the midline position to find the twists.
Pär
7mo
Working my way through. Think I need to focus on the have fun part, getting the essentials down more loose and quick and using more abstraction. Hard to break out from trying to recreating the pose and shapes with their outlines and such, as seen from that angle and whatnot.
Melanie Scearce
I agree with your reflection, you definitely grasp the concept and you have a very good eye for the connecting shapes and perspective. Your second set of drawings look a bit looser. Try to lengthen your strokes as much as you can instead of using multiple smaller strokes to form a line. Even if your line turns out longer than you need, that’s better than too short.
Pär
7mo
Phew, last ones. Really want to move on to more fast and notational, finding the abstract core and play with it
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