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Learn how to draw -
Drawing Lessons -
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Learn to Sketch -
How to Draw People -
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How to Draw People
Sketching the human figure is considered by many to be
the ultimate challenge in ones development as an artist
because it incorporates all that one learns about
shapes, perspective, shading and proportion. Moreover,
it is a subject matter with which both artist and viewer
are intimately familiar therefore even minor mistakes
tend to be much more noticeable. Common mistakes involve
proportion and the rendering of form. To avoid such
mistakes, the human figure must be examined carefully to
achieve accurate anatomical proportions and special
consideration must be given to lighting and its role in
the creation of depth.
Pentimenti
Whether you have been drawing for weeks or years, you
will inevitably draw incorrect lines as well as
additional lines to help establish the shapes and
proportions of your subject. In many cases artists will
choose to erase these markings once the polished lines
and shapes have been created. In other cases, artists
leave these markings intentionally. Not only can they be
a practical aid during the process of drawing, acting as
guidelines for the correction needed, but more
importantly they can bring life to the sketch,
suggesting action or movement in the figure as well as
create interesting tonal effects leading to a greater
overall expressiveness. These markings are known as
pentimenti. In less technical terms, pentimenti stands
for under-drawing or regrets. Don't forget, these lines
do not suggest failure on the part of the artist but
rather pentimenti are an integral element in the drawing
process.
Other pages of interest
Drawing backs and
necks
Drawing the
human figure
Proper measurements of the human figure
How to draw
men and women
How to draw
people