Drawing Session #4 Figure Model Reference
I believe that practicing gesture drawing and figure drawing is essential for improving one’s skills in capturing the human form. Using reference photos, especially ones that depict a variety of poses, is crucial in gaining a deeper understanding of the nude anatomy and body poses.
These practices allow me to study the movements and shapes of the body in detail, allowing me to better understand and depict the anatomy in my art. Using reference photos, particularly those that showcase a range of poses, is essential in this process as it allows me to change subject very quickly. It is through this type of focused practice that we can better understand and accurately depict the human form in our artworks.
Visit http://www.newmastersacademy.org for tens of thousands of model reference images, 3D models, and hundreds of hours of the world’s best art video instruction.
At New Masters Academy we’re always looking for new ways to help teach the fundamentals of art. Recently we have begun releasing (via YouTube) a series of timed reference videos that we call the Daily Life Drawing Sessions. These sessions allow artists to practice drawing 1, 2, 5, and now 10 minute figure drawing poses that we have selected from the vast Image Reference Library ( http://www.newmastersacademy.org/reference-images ). These sessions have been met with with overwhelming enthusiasm which sparked a new idea:
We have begun recording real-time video lessons where your New Masters Academy instructors draw from these timed sessions right alongside you.
Using these videos is simple!
1. Set up your computer, laptop, or tablet near your working area with the screen at a perpendicular angle to your eye.
2. Make sure you are working in a well lit area with your drawing surface perpendicular to your eye as well.
3. Play the video and try to work in real time (no pausing!). First you will see a series of one minute poses. This doesn’t give you much time so you’ll want to try to get a sense of the whole figure, whether you’re drawing gesture lines or an interconnecting lay-in. Even for the one minute poses, don’t rush! Just set realistic goals for yourself.
Tip: When two images are shown side-by-side choose whichever image you like. If you repeat the same video session again (and we recommend you do) you can do the drawing over again or choose the other side.
4. After five one-minute poses, you’ll get the chance to do five two-minute poses. Here you are going to work the same way that you did with the one minute poses but you’ll also be able to start defining the forms (starting with major forms) and how they connect with each other.
5. The last two-poses are 5 minutes each. We have chosen particularly difficult poses here so take your time to work them out.
You can view more at http://www.newmastersacademy.org
Here’s how we recommend you use this resource: First do these DLDS (Daily Life Drawing Session) video yourself one or multiple times trying to stay true to the timer and improving on your initial drawings and understandings of the poses each time. Next watch your favorite instructors do the same drawings from the same videos as you, comparing what similarities and differences there are between not only you and your favorite instructor, but also among the different instructors. This is an approach that has never been implemented in art education and so far the feedback has extremely positive.
Questions:
What if I want to draw for more than 5 minutes?
Click here for the static images:
http://www.newmastersacademy.org/reference-images
Where can I get more reference images?
Subscribe at New Masters Academy for thousands of model images, real-time 3D scans and hundreds of hours of art instruction. http://www.newmastersacademy.org
Start learning at:
http://www.newmastersacademy.org
What if I have suggestions/feedback?
Post them here in the comments area. We welcome any opportunity to improve!
