Looking for Diagnosis
2yr
@discoaquinas
Long time fan of Proko (and I believe he once answered a question from me on a livestream so we're basically family, he and I) in need of some help.
Any chance anyone could give my work here a quick critique? I consider this drawing fairly representative of my current output. It's entirely from invention, and I did try to work it out via a detailed series of under-drawings (which I've not included, but can on request).
Am I on the right track? Is this piece at least somewhat anatomically correct?
Hey discoaquinas,
I agree with the critiques you have already had by Dwight and Danet. I will say that there really isn't any reason to draw the body unless it's doing something.
Always start with gesture to keep the body fluid and not stiff like your drawing. Notice everything is straight and even?
Then use structure to give your figure some dimension and 3D qualities.
Then add your anatomy and details. This progression will help you going forward to create more convincing, solid and interesting figures.
I did a sketch to show you what I mean, I hope it helps :)
Thanks, Steve - this is magical! Gesture is always a challenge for me, I'll admit, and you've all convinced me to upload a full figure piece soon.
The only thing to critique is the contours of the torso, which look fine except for the symmetric line between the torso and forearm.
I'd recommend finishing the drawing (as in drawing head, hands, legs), adding shading, or outlining each muscle or something because I feel like it's hard to say if you really know your stuff with so little to go off of.
Hi disco
I agree with @Dwight on this. Betty Edwards talks about the importance of the number one in art. All the figure must be one thing, connected and related.
Each muscle is doing something, it’s not just about having them in the right place, but doing the right things in relation to all the rest of the pose. You have a bit of this on the shoulder, as the arm is lifting it's affecting the deltoid and the pectoralis muscles. So really when working on gesture you are also defining how the anatomy will work.
hope this is useful!
That's an absolutely fair point to make; too often I just... let the drawing sit unfinished. Thanks for taking the time to look it over all the same, though!
