Sunday, April 3, 2016

Guides To Creating Human Figures In Pencil

By Deborah Brooks


The creation of interesting artwork is perhaps among the best ways one can demonstrate just how intricate and beautiful the mind truly is. While every individual possess a unique style, honing their abilities through studying certain techniques can benefit those who are deeply serious about their craft. To draw human figures in pencil, using some basic guidelines can assist in getting better results.

Each tiny detail like the shape of a head, style of neck, shoulder position, torso size and limb proportion are all very critical factors to making a recognizable humanoid form. For one who is not trained, getting these aspects to come together correctly can be challenging as the body is a highly complex design. Learning the tips and dedicating time to practicing them, can push one's progress and quality of sketching skills much further.

Before starting to get serious with paper, one may want to consider purchasing a book that features tips on drawing anatomically. It will point out the importance of learning to see a body as a precise grouping of geometric shapes that come together to make the basic design. Beginners and those who have no real experience can benefit immensely with this tutorial.

One must first decide if they are going to put their subject in a partial page composition, or if they are planning to use the full area. This also helps determine how to effectively use positive space and how to turn the paper. If drawing the body in an upright pose, it is usually better to go with a portrait orientation, but those who are set horizontally would typically do better with landscape.

Any artwork that involves humanoid subjects can become less appealing when the proportions are unrealistic. This alone is reason enough for one to study the ratio of one body section to another so that there is a deeper understanding of how they come together to form proper anatomy. A wooden artist's mannequin or tutorial handbook can be incredible references as they can help avoid drawing the form disproportionately.

Symmetry is an important aspect when drawing male or female forms. In the ideal sense, the body is the same on the right as it is on the left, giving it perfect balance in shape and size. When building up the details, keep in mind that men tend to be more angular, having wider chests and shoulders and bulkier calves and thighs, while women are generally softly curved.

When doing sketches, one of the most valuable techniques that can be used is shading. Regardless of whether one opts to use a live model or an artist's mannequin, the individual needs to be conscious of how the subject is illuminated. It is important to notice which areas lay in the shadows and which are highlighted due to direct contact from the light source.

Following these general guidelines may help an artist to be better at creating both male and female subjects. Putting the effort into studying and practicing the techniques will yield noticeable improvement in skill and ability over time. One can find so much joy in having the freedom to use art as a means of expression.




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