Chapter 3: A Visual Vocabulary for DrawingIt is important, also, to drape a figure to emphasize the type of character that is being
portrayed. Is it a woman or a man; is it a neat person or a slob? Is the dress formal or
casual; is it supposed to flatter the actor or make it look ridiculous?
Here’s one example from class, where the artist got trapped into trying to feature the
complications of the costume. The model was actually holding a very austere pose. There
was a lot of cloth but it was wrapped tightly around the model’s body, making a simple
but dramatic shape. My suggested simplification appears on the right.