clothing and folds

[BlackGuy]

clothing and folds are my weakest area and I really need help with them. So my question is, what's the best way to go about practicing them? Because I mean, it isn't the same as studying anatomy and figures. I mean once you learn an aspect of anatomy, let's say an arm. Then that's it. You already know how an arm looks, and with that knowledge you can change it up. But clothing is different, and I don't know how to begin practicing them. I want to get to the point where I can draw convincing clothing and folds out of my imagination. Any help would be very appreciated.

[the_allejo05]

:wink: hmm im not an expert on it it..but there are diferent ways im doing it..copy from the masters (durer has interesting way of doing it..as well as boticelli, or the renaissance masters..)..draw from life :) hang it and draw it , there is a book of dynamic drapery by hogarth which i think contains useful information. there is a chapter on nicolaides book who deals with it..he tells of making it look like a woodcarver could read as easily as if he were to carve it out..need to know the laws of folds..i think bridgman contains info on that....as well as edouard lanteri (in his book on sculpture)..then as usual practice from your head when you have experience with it..i guess...always think of drapery as part of the figure..to help describe the form underneath..

[dorian]

always think of drapery as part of the figure..to help describe the form underneath..
the form underneath describes the form of the clothing on top, I'd say, not the other way round. or did I get you wrong there? :)

allejo's post contains very good info, read it well :]
probably drawing from life is the most important exercise. combining this with the books + old master studies and trying to draw it without reference, will give you a good understanding.

ron lemen has a good tut up on ca over here (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=14739), read this one, too


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[jfrancis]

You should be able to identify and understand the 7 basic folds.

Read George Bridgman's book, The Seven Laws of Folds (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=%22Seven+Laws+of+Folds%22&btnG=Search)

Another good resource that covers these 7 folds is this Vilppu DVD on drapery:

http://www.vilppustudio.com/dvd.htm

Here's a sneak preview:

http://home.earthlink.net/~lumpley/megweb/rant.html

...but the $30 investment in the DVD is money well spent if you want to imagine and invent realistic folds in your work.

[BlackGuy]

hey thanks for the help guys. made it much easier to understand.