Teach Yourself Visually Drawing

Find the Gesture of the Pose: Quick Sketches.

To draw the human figure convinc-
ingly, you must be aware of the ges-
ture, or the movement, or position of
the body. This gesture gives movement
and direction to your drawing, which
makes it appear more lifelike.
Observing the gesture carefully helps
you to understand the placement of
the spine, which serves as the center of
movement for the whole body. You
can also think of this in the opposite
way: Observe the placement of the
spine, and you will understand the
gesture.

This quick sketch concisely conveys the gesture of the pose. The dynamism of the
body lies in a forward movement caused by the inward arch of the spine. Notice
how the artist is trying to find the correct line to describe the arch of the back. Do
not be afraid to draw many lines in order to record the information precisely. The
thick line representing the curve of the stomach as it extends outward reiterates the
arch in the back. The curve of the stomach is accentuated, not only by the lovely use
of line to describe its shape, but also by the positioning of the front leg, which com-
pletes the direction of that curve to the ground. The back leg supports the weight of
the body, and the small, dark line at the back of the model’s right thigh gives solidity
to this supporting leg. The artist has shaded the right side of the body to show a
pattern of shadow. This gives more weight to this side of the model’s body, whereas
depicting the light on the left side of her body emphasizes the flowing quality of
the curve.

When you come across a pose that inspires you, observe it well, but try to feel the
pose as well as see it. The appreciation this artist had for the pose is evident in the
use of line and limited shading. This drawing depicts a gesture, not a model.

Reclining Nude

, by J. S. Robinson

Twist,by Dean Fisher