do I need figures to draw them?

[love Rx]

I've been doing some studies on anatomy but not from real people for the most part, is this bad?


I have access to scenery, but people are scarce...well naked people are even more scarce.
I've taken to heart that life drawing is important.

but can't I just use photos and 3d poser models for reference????

I mean they look the same for the most part. they stay still, they don't move unlike their fleshy counterparts.
at least they seem to be.

I am taking a class with live models to sketch, but the class is only an hour and is 3 days a week. I would like to use 3d programs as an alternative in the mean time.

using photos, porn, and poser 6 sounds a lot more convenient.

is this a dumb idea in the making? or is it something I should go ahead and do.

what do you guys do as far as figure drawing is concerned when human beings are not available?

[DavePalumbo]

You can, but should also considder just hanging out in coffee shops and parks and train stations and sketch the people standing around.

Don't get me wrong, drawing from photos is very useful for learning and for working, but it has its limitations. It's fine to do, but you will probably learn more and learn faster in observing from life. Learning by drawing from Poser... feels suspect to me. I'd draw studies from old masters and contemporary artists before drawing from Poser.

But give some real world life drawing a try. Or some self portraits with a mirror. Or your kid sister while she's watching TV. Or people riding the subway. Or people in line at the bank. You know, anyone who'll sit still for maybe 2+ minutes

[MephistoLV]

Don't forget the usefulness of a large mirror. Self-portraits don't have to be just face and shoulders you know. You can draw full body poses of yourself. Best part is, you are always available as your own model.

[Flake]

but can't I just use photos and 3d poser models for reference????

I mean they look the same for the most part. they stay still, they don't move unlike their fleshy counterparts.
at least they seem to be.


Look closely at the joints of Poser models, they just don't bend/squish right.

They have no underlying bone structure, this is why humans are a better bet. If you do a bit of research into how 3D animation and rigging works you'll understand why this is.
All of the human skeletal, muscular systems and sliding skin stuff can be accurately simulated but it's incredibly cpu intensive and generally reserved for "Hero" stuff like "Gollum", Poser simply doesn't do that and so it's going to give poorer results than a good ref photo and far poorer than working from life..

Use it if you want, realise the limitations first though.

[Storyboard Dave]

Also drawing from real life gives you an opportunity to slightly move around the actual model to study intricacies if you need to- something you can't get from photos. I also agree that Poser might be good for certain things, it's most definitely limiting on many degress.

Nothing beats drawing from real life in my humble opinion.

[kingshaj]

flake is right avoid poser like the plague (for this purpose)
just not what it was designed for ...and like flake says the IK is way way off.

also there are a ton of figure nude resources on the web for the artist (not porn)
poses are so so..not very dynamic...but it helps...(bare in mind that they are limited and can be recognizable ..so this really only helps for studies )

http://www.female-anatomy-for-artist.com/?id=15

there are a ton of these...
but don’t underestimate google...i have found some very cool martial arts or breakdancing shots that have greatly helped my anatomy studies.

but in general Storyboard Dave is right, listen to him.
nothing will get you drawing better, sooner than drawing from life.

[Elwell]

Draw from everything.
Poser can be a useful tool, but only if you have deep enough knowledge of the body to recognize what it's shortcomings are.
Also, life drawing doesn't have to = nude drawing. Don't overlook opportunities to draw everyday people doing everyday activities. In the long run, you'll probably be drawing more cloth than skin anyway.

[JQP]

Poser can be a useful tool, but only if you have deep enough knowledge of the body to recognize what it's shortcomings are
Well said.