READ: pages 1-22 in FORCE by Michael Mattesi
DISCUSS: In the comments below, explain what Mattesi means by FORCE in a drawing. Discuss his approach to drawing the human form.
In your 2 weeks worth (8 pages!) of sketches focus on the idea of FORCE – or infusing energy and life into your lines! ( YES the sketches are VOLUMETRIC… these are all just drawing techniques designed to work together!) POST your FORCEFUL drawings into WEEK 4 Sketches!
READ ON and GO FILL THOSE PAGES!
Very interesting read. After reading this chapter, my thoughts on drawing figures has changed in the sense that I now observe a model’s pose and create something like a story in my mind. Their pose is not just a standstill figure- I have to understand where the movements might be going, why their body is in such a position, how their joints and muscles my contrast, etc. This all goes back to the author’s description of direction, force and rhythm.
I love the “story in your mind” concept!
EXACTLY!
It is interesting that human figure is full of force. As mentioned by Mattes, drawing with mind’s eyes not only the vision. When we don’t get the pose, we can assume the pose. Drawing is not like the copy machine, and we should be aware of the strength of the line. We should imagine the figure is going to move even though the person is standing still. Keep in mind that the line is your idea. Our line has the power to make the drawing vivid.
YES when you DONT get the POSE… ASSUME the POSE!
Based on what I read from the chapter, it reminded me of what we were talking about in class. Body gestures tell us everything. As the book says, mind and body are ONE. Force, also means exaggerating in the drawing. I believe that is how we find our own drawing style. The good drawings show actions very clearly, using the life with force and direction. We can show in our drawing how powerful and speedy it is just by applying the force.
EXACTLY!
I really liked the idea that you don’t need to copy the figure exactly and to be encouraged to exaggerate the models movements so that the drawing conveys an actual living thing, especially if you focus on the applied force. I started to completely understand everything until I got to the leading edge part. I had some trouble understanding where the leading edge would begin, and I continuously would look at where it was said to be but couldn’t wrap my brain around it.
Sinead- that can be a difficult concept.
Its like considering the force in the figure and were the figure moving, what direction would it be moving in.
Lets talk about it in class on Friday!
This reading helped me change my perspective when drawing models. I am use to drawing still objects, and never really pay attention to the forces applied on a pose. If you start to pay attention to the direction at which the force is moves, you begin to understand body gestures more. As I was drawing sketches I understood Michael more. I began curving my lines more on body gestures, which helped improve my sketches.
Your sketches this week looked great so something if definitely sinking in! 🙂 WELL DONE!
I think that force and direction is very important in drawing the human figure. Like Mattesi stated in this chapter, you have to understand the direction of the figure you are drawing. You have to observe the movement of a figure. Force applied on a figure, can help you understand what body part is doing the work. When you see a persons body tilting or bending, you know that a force is being applied.
Exactly
Force according to Mattesi is energy with purpose. He begins on explaining how when it comes to drawing, there is something that is called Directional Force. It’s the direction that the figure exerts his or her energy at. This is beneficial to the illustrator, because It helps them to understand which body part is doing the work.
Also it guides us as we try to understand what is happening inside the figure to accurately draw it!