Figure drawing options

[Mercer]

Well this summer, I was introduced do a pretty well kept secret. There was a figure drawing class in a nearby town. I have taken the class and have learned alot (more then what i had before on figure dawing). The only thing is, I had to end it because it clashed with school. Although i wish that it was more an everyday thing, (was every tuesdays 3-6) b/c i felt that although i was learning i wanted an everyday exposure. Anyway this fall i will be in my last year of high school and I know I should add figure drawing pieces in my portfolio (will be applying to Sva for animation.) I have been suggested books which I will be getting over the next few days, the only thing is im not too sure if I will be moving too fast or slow. In the class they spoke heavly on building everything up, how will i know if im skipping a step. Should I post images at certain stages or times in order to be provided with good critiques?

[jrwells]

First, stop thinking like there is a critical order of steps to go through to finish a drawing, only you can decide when a drawing is finished, and in order to do that you have to know how you draw best. It never hurts to post a drawing up for crits, it can get you help, and it can give you a good chance to step away from that drawing for a few days and work on something else, then come back, view the drawing with clear eyes and evaluate the crits you got, then go back into it if you feel the need.

Also, books will never be as good as taking a figure drawing class. The can help, of course, but real life is so much better. Keep in mind that you do not always have to draw the nude figure, going to school for animation or modeling there will be a lot of different traditional arts that will help. Including how cothes move and fold, color theory, etc. Also, check with local community colleges, you may be able to get enrolled in a fine arts class there during the summer or if it is avaliable to you, early start programs.

[Mercer]

indeed, I do not think there is a critical order but from what i was taught and what i took from it (for me at least) there is some order. Instead of detail and focusing on one part, it is easier and comes with better results when for instance i work on the face....instead of working on detail of the eyes and always fixing them, i should find first the relationship with position,angle and size. If i leave one relationship out my results always need a change for the better. I know that drawing from books isn't good and i would rather draw from life b/c that is so much easier. Books are like knowledge to be learned and apply to whatever extent one wants.(i think) The reason i am focusing alot on figure drawing and want to is, it will give me the knowledge i need to not only give me a good head start but have more time for improvement.And also it will show that i went on my own to further seek art skills. I know there is many more subjects which also are used for animation but the one element I enjoy most is figure drawing b/c i haven't really done it before. I have been looking for summer programs the only problem is I really dont have alot of saving before the summer since im in school my hours are really big big. And to enroll mid-summer either is not an option or would clash with school. Im going to do a study with some of the art teachers at my school and also during the spring enroll at the figure drawing class again.

[Debaser]

I try not to go nuts with books myself. Getting out and actually *doing* is always much better. Nevertheless some books are very helpful as guides.

Check out Anthony J. Ryder's "The artist's complete guide to figure drawing: A contemporary perspective on the classical tradition" (http://www.tonyryder.com/a-book.htm)
This guy's artwork is pretty amazing indeed but I dont like drawing from books either. The real value I got was from actually *reading* the whole thing cover-to-cover. This guy writes about figure drawing with an almost religious reverence that really got into my psyche. The quality of his work isn't too shabby either ;). He has a very process-oriented approach based on the "Classical Tradition" he refers to in the title and he gives each step alot of attention and description in the illustrations and text. Anyway, I found Ryder's book to be very useful in developing my own process since his has alot in common with what i'd already picked up on my own. The "envelope" he talks about in the first few chapters is interesting but I've had limited success with it myself. I attribute this to the fact that I do alot of shorter-timed life drawing from models and I find it more of an obstacle there. It's been more useful on longer-term poses when I have the time to be anal and work really big.

I've also been pointed at Harold Speed's "The Practice and Science of Drawing". This and another Speed book "Oil Painting Techniques and Materials in Painting & Drawing" have been described as "the Bibles" by several teachers and fellow students. I'm still waiting for these to arrive on order though :upset:

Speed was apparently of the old-school that Ryder's taking a "new perspective" on and I'm told his methods pretty much *are* the classical tradition. I'm interested in seeing how much of Ryder's methods parallel Speed's.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0486228703/ref=pd_sxp_elt_l1/002-0597108-0608048

and

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0486255069/ref=ase_astrokeofgeniusA/002-0597108-0608048?v=glance&s=books

Respectively...

[Mercer]

Thanks for suggesting the books Debaser :teeth: I should have mentioned that my figure drawing class was strictly "traditional" I forget where and when exactly but i know it was in europe.
He has a very process-oriented approach based on the "Classical Tradition" he refers to in the title and he gives each step alot of attention and description in the illustrations and text. Anyway, I found Ryder's book to be very useful in developing my own process since his has alot in common with what i'd already picked up on my own. The "envelope" he talks about in the first few chapters is interesting -that is in a nutshell what is taught at the class....the envelope was a word spoken a billion times a day there. I like drawing 100% what I see and just that...I think when I feel confident in my work I will be able to give more of a creative turn to it
-edit: I haven't realized that I have already ordered ryder's book, that is why everything seemed so familiar as far as "envelope" cant wait to get it though should bea good read :teeth:

[Debaser]

Yep. Similarly, I just finished a summer workshop at a local "Atelier" styled school and will be attending full-time this fall. The thing that hooked me about Ryder's book is that I dont think he once mentions "sight-size". I badly needed something to keep me from hanging myself with my plumb-line hahah.

[Mercer]

I like dropping plumbs for some strange reason. I think they help focus on space...like when i write i usually slant down unless I have some kind of lines...I guess you can say my figure drawing class was part time since it was every tuesday....I learned alot but have'nt completed anything...just studes :teeth: