Figure Drawing Midterm Synopsis

                  I would like to start out this synopsis by proclaiming that I have learned far more about the human muscle structure and drawing the human figure than I ever thought I would. As stated previously, it has been a while since I have taken a drawing course so I was a bit intimidated, especially since the human body is so complex. Each and every class period, I’m not only learning, but also re-learning what I’ve already been taught.

MANIKEN

                  My concentration is ceramics, so I initially thought that working with clay would come easily for me. Little did I know the intricacy of the human muscle structure would destroy my false hope. By working on the maniken throughout the semester and learning about the human muscle structure I have found that it is easier to translate and exaggerate that in one’s drawings. It was particularly interesting for me to see the difference between the male and female models. The muscle structure in the male model was far more prominent and identifiable. On the male model I was able to identify the ribs and the pelvis, along with the abdomen, quads, adductors, and hamstrings to a higher degree.

GESTURE DRAWINGS

                  My biggest problem with gesture drawings is that I can’t seem to place the entire body on the page, which is something I’m working on and improving. I also have a tendency to draw very slow and constantly over-think my work. I need to learn to trust my eyes. I found it extremely helpful when we were introduced to the rib cage, spinal column and pelvis. The two gesture drawings that I have chosen for my blog, though not the best, exhibit the spinal column, rib cage and pelvis. These drawings also show the entire figure in one space, as well as some line variation. I feel that gesture drawing one captures the movement of the line a little better than gesture drawing two, which is something that I need to work on as well.

LONG DRAWINGS

                  Long drawing three on the blog is actually one of the first long drawings that I did this semester. This drawing was just focusing on the torso of the model in a one-hour period. I chose this drawing as one of my best because there is line variation, cross contour lines, as well as the ribs and pelvis. Long drawing two is actually the last long drawing that I did before the midterm. I feel that this is my best drawing to date because of the use of cross contour lines and line variation. I also felt that because we were given two hours to work on this drawing, I was able to pay close attention to detail and proportions. Looking closer at long drawing two, I noticed that I was able to capture the muscles in the legs, which is what we are currently working on with our manikens. Long drawing three was done over a one hour time period, and though unfinished I feel there is a good use of gestural lines along with fairly accurate proportions. The biggest improvement I feel I need to make thus far in the semester is to fit the entire body on the picture plane. I would also like to work on being more gestural with my lines and less stiff when I draw. I think that one of my greatest strengths so far this semester is that, when given a longer period of time; I am able to capture the proportions of the body fairly accurately. I still need to work hard on trusting my eyes.