Prompt
Complete six hours in total of gesture drawings of human figures. We recommend that each drawing session is a minimum of one hour so you have time to warm up and sharpen your skills.
Use a timer and make two, five, and ten minute drawings. Start with the two minute ones and progressively increase to ten minute drawings.
Reference images
You can use any human figure images you find anywhere, but you can also access reference images here in this folder. Reference images are from Eadward Muybridge’s book Human Figure in Motion.
Recommended media
Sketchbook that is around 9″ x 12,” pencil, colored pencil, Caran d’Ache Neocolor I Crayon
Artists for inspiration
Look up figure drawings by Raphael, Pontormo, Paul Cadmus, Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens
Two minute Gesture Drawings
This video demonstrates how to do two minute gesture drawings using stills of figures from Eadweard Muybridge’s book The Human Figure in Action. Prof Lieu explains how to capture the most essential masses and forms of the human figure within two minutes. Demo led by Art Prof Clara Lieu.
Top Figure Drawing Mistakes
Avoid these mistakes when drawing the human figure! Common mistakes are tracing the outline of the figure, drawing too dark too soon, leaving the hands and feet to the last minute and more.
See these mistakes demonstrated, and followed up with showing more effective and efficient techniques for drawing the figure. Reference photos from Eadweard Muybridge’s book The Human Figure in Action.
- Watch the 3 min. version here
- Watch the 80 min. version here
- Video Walkthrough & Supplies
Share Your Progress
Post your ongoing progress in the #bfa-track channel in our Discord, you’ll get support and feedback from out staff and the community!
