INTRODUCTION TO LIFE DRAWING – Gail Davis
Artist: Gail Davis
@gaildavis.theartstudio
Reference Image
Materials
Paper (any type, including repurposed
packaging paper)
Charcoal (soft and hard for different effects)
Chalk
Pencils or pens
Erasers
Measuring tool (pencil, ruler, or even a wooden stick)
Easel
Find these items at cassart.co.uk
Blind Drawing exercise
(30 seconds per pose):
Ask your model to pose for thirty second. During this time sketch quickly onto a piece of paper without taking your eyes off the model. Keep the pencil on the page at all times. This exercise helps to familiarize yourself with the subject’s form. Don’t worry about the final result!
Top Tip: Relax and breathe. This exercise is about learning to see and loosening up.
Proportions and angle drawing exercise
For this next exercise ask your model to take up a pose they can stay in for 5-10 minutes.
You’re going to be focusing on familiarising yourself with the model’s proportions.
To begin stand up straight, reach out your non drawing arm so that it’s straight. Holding a pencil in the reached-out hand, line it up so that the top of the pencil is at the top of the model’s head. Take your thumb down to the chin exposing a portion of the pencil. This section becomes your measuring tool.
You can now use this measurement as a reference to work out the proportions of the rest of the body. E.g. you might see that the distance from the belly button to the toes is 2x bigger than your initial head measurement.
You can also use your pencil to help you to identify the key angles of your model’s figure. Line your pencil up with the angle of the shoulder before transitioning the pencil over to the paper and using this as a guide for your mark. Focus on mapping out the body using lines at this stage.
It is useful to also observe the negative spaces around the body as you might spot mistakes in your drawing by focusing away from the actual figure.
End this exercise by starting to sketch in the curved areas of your model. Look about the movement of flesh.
Top Tip: Double check everything again and again as angles and proportions are so important to the accuracy of a drawing.
Creating a final drawing
It’s time for your final piece. Ask your model to take up a very comfortable position as they’ll be there for a while and if possible, use a small light to create a lovely contrast of shadow and light across your model.
As before, start by focusing on the measurements using the rule of thumb technique.
Top Tip: If you’re not happy don’t be afraid to just rub it out and start again
Once you’re happy with the overall shapes start working within the figure. It might be useful to find some reference points e.g. the nipples and belly button. As before, check the negative spaces around the model to help you identify any mistakes
Once you’re happy with the overall form, it’s time to refine the hands, feet, and facial features. Use the same measuring techniques to do this. Use stronger marks for dark shadow. These areas will help to indicate where the weight falls on whatever your model is sitting or standing on.
Top Tip: When you’re doing a lot of shading it might be good to use a stick to keep your hand from smudging the work that is already down on the page
To finish block in some highlight details using chalk. Use a little brush to blend these areas before adding in more detail with the charcoal.
Top Tip: Treat life drawing as practice rather than a finished piece—regular repetition improves skill.
