Mannequization - Thoughts?
3yr
Zach King
Here are some examples of mannequins I've been producing lately.
I'm wondering if I'm ready to tackle the anatomy course on proko at this point since mannequins are the end of the figure drawing course?
Some of these boxes and cylinders are looking a bit off to me. I think you should work a bit on your perspective.
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2yr
Hey, @alek_, I’m catching up a bit late, but hopefully still in time to share a little feedback.
The previous suggestions our fellows made about exaggeration and spatially-oriented forms are definitely valid. I’d add one more thing: if you're having trouble understanding the anatomy in order to simplify the figure into a mannequin, try to let go of drawing realistic anatomy altogether and stick to drawing just simpler, geometric-ish forms. If it helps, try to “forget” that you’re drawing a real person and think as if you were drawing an actual mannequin such as those wooden posable figurines people sell in art shops. Simplifying in this way can make it more manageable to think of how the individual parts fit together in 3D space to create a compound cohesive structure.
I chose two of your sketches to draw over as visual examples of what I mean - they’re attached here. Hope it helps!
Remember to always start your mannequins with gesture so they won’t be stiff objects, but rather more like “animated characters” posed with life, gesture and naturality.
And just one more suggestion: since this exercise is directly related to a course lesson, you can feel free to post your drawings directly in the lesson’s page, under the “assignments” tab. In this case, for example: if you go to Mannequinization – Structure of the Human Body, you’ll find the “assignments” tab right above the lesson description, below the video player (in the mobile site, also below the course playlist). Then, you can just create a new post there. Posting assignments in their respective lesson’s page makes it even easier for other students who are going through the same content to see and comment on your work. Although, of course, it's not a problem at all if you do prefer to create a new topic in the overall community to post your work instead of posting it in the lesson's discussion thread. These are options you have.
Please let me know in case you have any questions.
Happy studies!
Exaggerate. Some of the poses, the reclining figure shows it the most, suffer from lack of dynamic energy. Overdo it so everything in your head is on the paper then consider eliminating things. Don't edit your imagination, just the paper.
Hey zking,
it's good to see you doing these mannequin drawings, they will really help you later on. The reason we do these is to help us think about the body in 3D. It also helps us use perspective to show how the body is sitting in space. I did a quick sketch to show you what I mean, I hope it helps :)
Have you been able to follow along with any of proko's demo videos (I'm not sure if they're premium-only)? That's been the most helpful for me. I kind-of try to do it on my own, usually more or less fail at it, then copy from his demo videos or look at other student work. After that, you'll have a better idea of what shapes to use to describe certain parts of the body. I do think the poses are a little stiff, and the perspective's a bit off and wonky on most of your construction shapes.
But I always say go for it, move on. The worst thing you can do is stagnate and become discouraged/bored, but if you DON'T feel ready, why not go through the basic figure drawing course again? It's a pretty short program (I re-did various parts of it 3+ times). And if you'd rather move on, if you get overwhelmed or stuck at something in the anatomy course, just go back to it later. Heck, you can learn a little more, then come back to the gesture and mannequinization stuff too. There's always going to be stuff you miss the first time that you can catch or understand better after you have more firsthand experience with the material.
As a side note, have you taken a look at any of the portrait/head drawing courses? Proko's course that goes over the loomis method could help you with head sketching and feature placement. Don't forget there are MANY ways to learn and many different drawing techniques, so if something's not 'clicking' you can always check out youtube (and other art sites ofc) for more demos and tutorials (just be careful, because there's plenty of uneducated artists trying to make tutorials too)!
I think you are focusing to much in the geometry of stuff, and loosing the gesture, especially in the second picture, remember to do more flowy stroke. The man look like his made of balloon. the first one is my favourite :D
Thank you - the first one is my most recent drawing I did last night. I appreciate the need to maintain the gestural flow even when adding construction.
I think you still need to learn contruction and making 3d form,but I think you got the right idea because it's more efficent to learn anatomy with contruction.Since they benefit each other
Thanks, I will continue to perform gesture and mannequin practice as I begin tackling the anatomy videos.
