2
SPECIFIC PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
Crooked noses, hair styles, moustaches, tattoos,
fashion accessories... there’s so much to observe
and recreate on the canvas when depicting human
characters. And don’t forget the patterns on various
surfaces. They just add so much to an illustration.
Subtle changes in body
language can change the
attitude of a person
3
NUANCES
Observe how
subtle changes in
body language can
change the attitude
of a person. A raised
eyebrow can add volumes, although
there’s little physical change. Nuances
could be atmospheric, too. Imagine a
young boy reading a book. On the wall
is a poster of Lionel Messi. Switch the
poster to one of Albert Einstein and
there’s a complete change in context.4
BREAKING SYMMETRY
Here’s an early observation and important lesson I learned: our actions
are rarely symmetrical in nature. Even the simplest of gestures like sitting or
standing aren’t evenly balanced. You’ll often hear artists say that symmetry is
boring, and this is simply because it makes things feel too organised and forced.
Generally, if a moment is something that calls for attention – say, an action that’s
grand or epic – is resorting to symmetry the best way forward?Artist insight | Learning through observation