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Overview

Gesture Drawing Marathon

Recalling today’s class motto, “Fast, but not frantic,” create as many small gesture drawings as you can cram into 2 pages. Base your drawings on models from our online drawing sites. Apply the varied styles and approaches we explored in class today and on Resources to capture the action or gesture of the figures as they move through space. Proportion is important, but remember that gesture drawings follow the movement of a pose, not a static, stiff diagram.

Learning Outcomes

To capture the movement or gesture of a pose, whether static or in motion To recognize the primary axis lines and lines of action
To learn to sketch a simplified figure quickly in a variety of poses
To indicate anatomical landmarks, especially in the skeletal structure

Instructions

What you will need

  • White paper Pencils
  • Fine-tip black pen
  • Black and sanguine Conté pencils Sharpener
  • Sanding block

How:

  • Create one page completely in sanguine Conté pencil.
  • Create the other in graphite pencil, fine-tip pen, and black Conté.
  • Start with figures’ strongest directional lines (“lines of action”)
  • Capture the gesture, not superficial details.
  • Exaggerate the movement of the pose.
  • Work fast; don’t get bogged down with detail.
  • Make your drawings approximately 8 heads high.
  • Avoid the elongation and 9-heads+ height of some manga and fashion figures. Keep Conté pencils sharpened.

Submission

Create a new post with an image gallery containing the drawings you created for this assignment.

  • To create your post, visit OpenLab Help> Writing a Post
  • To add an image gallery, visit OpenLab Help > Adding an image gallery
    • Add well-lighted, thoughtfully composed images of your drawings to an image gallery.
  • Add a written reflection.
    • Document your thoughts about this assignment. Think about what you learned, what you could have done better, and how you will apply what you learned to your next drawing.

Due Date(s)

  • 4 pm the day before next class

Resources

  • Gesture drawing examples
  • Article on Gesture Drawing
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