FD - Figure Drawing Module Overview

Figure Drawing Module Overview

Introduction

View the following presentation to get an overview on what you will be learning in this module.

Key Terms

    1. Line - Path of a point moving through space.
    2. Shape - 2D area defined in some way.
    3. Form - Object having 3 dimensions.
    4. Space - The area around, between, above, below or within objects.
    5. Movement - Create the look or feeling of action, guide the viewer’s eye.
    6. Balance - Equalizing visual elements.
    7. Proportion - Concern with size relationships with one part to another.
    8. Symmetry - That the viewer should not be given the impression that something is out of balance, or missing, or wrong.
    9. Figure and Ground - Which happens when you use shading or size to change the brain’s perception. Silhouettes and complex relationships are an example of how our brains create order in chaos.
    10. Gesture Drawing - Is a method of quickly recording what your eye sees; often is used when trying to capture the human figure in motion.
    11. Mass - Refers to rendering the solidity of the subject by masses of tone or color, without emphasizing lines or edges. Also called weight and modeled drawings; they are one of the basic exercises in figure drawing along with contour drawing and gesture drawing.
    12. Anatomy - Branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms, especially as revealed by dissection and the separation of parts.
    13. Line of Motion - When describing a figure in motion, it is easiest to begin with a "line" that describes the motion of the human figure.
    14. Ball and Socket Joints - Joints that allow a near full rotation of movement at the hip and at the shoulder.
    15. Hinge Joints - Joints that allow simple open and close movement.
    16. Unit of Measure - In drawing, a unit of measure (for example, a head) can be used to measure the rest of the human figure.
    17. Contrapposto - An Italian term that means "counterpoise." It is used in the visual arts to describe a human figure standing with most of its weight on one foot so that its shoulders and arms twist off-axis from the hips and legs in the axial plane.
    18. Foreshortening - is the visual effect that causes an object or distance to appear shorter than it actually is because it is angled toward the viewer.
    19. Silhouette - A term for any portrait, design or image in single line profile, it was historically an art form taken from a shadow cast by a candle on a sheet of paper.

Module Lessons Preview

In this module, we will study the following topics:

Artist Focus: Alberto Giacometti was a figurative sculptor, but it is his gestural drawings that we will look at for this unit. 

Introduction to Gesture Drawing: To create human figures, we need to learn the gestural approach to drawing. 

Line of Motion and Torso Shapes: We will apply the gestural drawing approach as we learn how to express the human figure in smaller components of line and shape. 

Adding Waterglass Shapes to Create an Outline Contour: Apply simple shapes to limbs so that a completed figure drawing can be made through outline contour. 

Gesture Practice: For this assignment, you will submit all of your gesture practice. 

Gesture Drawing Discussion: Complete a self-critique of your best gesture practice drawing. Offer reflective critiques to two other students. 

Journaling and the Gesture Process: Complete a journal assignment where you will research another figure artist and will also reflect on what you have learned through the gesture process. 

Gestures in Motion Project: As a summation of this module, you will create a drawing of 8 gestures that show figures in motion. You will complete the background using gestural watercolor. 

Upload Figure Drawing Project to Online Portfolio: Add your work from this module to your online portfolio. 

[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION