Set Up the
Model Pose
Drawing the human figure is
an excellent way to improve
and expand on your observa-
tional drawing skills. In
Chapter 11, you were advised
to draw a portrait of a real
person in front of you and
not use a photograph to
draw from. Drawing from a
live model is a good founda-
tion on which to build your
drawing skills and your skills
of observation. Drawing
from a live model will also
enable you to understand
what is in front of your eyes
from many different angles.
It goes without saying that in order for your model to hold a pose, he
should feel comfortable in that position. The model should be able to
hold the pose for 3 or 4 hours, with breaks. Unless you are a skilled artist
and can work quickly, a contorted, difficult pose will not be possible. For
those dramatic poses, artists often draw quick sketches. (You can find
examples on pages 244–247 in this chapter.) People who use their body
everyday in their work, such as professional dancers or athletes, will be
able to hold interesting poses for extended periods of time. If you are
lucky enough to find people who can do that and are willing to pose for
you, seize the opportunity. Not only will you be drawing someone with
mastery over their body movements, but you will also get an excellent
lesson in anatomy.
If you have a model in front of you to draw, then you have the opportu-
nity to observe and record accurately what you are seeing. When the
model takes a break, do not rely on the model to remember exactly how
he posed. Instead, you can use masking tape, as shown in this photo.
Place the tape around the edges of the model’s body if they are sitting on
a surface, or feet if they are standing on a surface or floor. Do this while
they are still in position, before they take a break.
Some Points to Consider
Figure at Rest,by J. S. Robinson