ZBrush Character Creation - Advanced Digital Sculpting 2nd Edition

■ Gesture, Form, and Proportion 3

Figure 1.3 An example of gesture and action

Figure 1.4 This Hercules from the

Piazza della Signoria in Florence,

Italy, is an example of bad gesture in

an otherwise good sculpture.

The rules of gesture apply
to even a sculpture that is not a
figure. Notice in the lion’s head
how the gesture of the lines in the
mane serve to create a sense of
flowing action down toward the
ring (Figure 1.5). These lines are
more of a graphic consideration
and can almost be considered in
the abstract. Their presence serves
to strengthen the visual impact.
Closely linked to gesture is
the concept of rhythm. Master
draftsman George Bridgman
describes rhythm as “in the bal-
ance of masses the subordination
of the passive or inactive side to
the more forceful and angular side
in the action.” That is to say, the
interplay between the active and
passive curves in the body com-
bines to create a sense of rhythm
in your sculpture (Figure 1.6).
Figure 1.5 Lion head sculpture