Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Drawing Human Figures In Pencil, Charcoal And Ink

By Helen Baker


When it comes to drawing and sketching, there are several different mediums which can be used. One of which is drawing human figures in pencil. Whether sketching an acquaintance, colleague, friend or art model, it is important to pay attention to detail. Whether attending class, posing as an art model, or simply sketching for fun, drawing is one area of study which many people find challenging and enjoyable.

The proper term for sketching from a figurine or object is considered figure drawing. Whereas, when working from a live model, the preferred term is often that of life drawing. While drawing or sketching from a model or object is often difficult, life drawing can be a great experience for live models and artists.

Life and figure drawing are the two most difficult aspects in this genre. While this is the case, the plethora of art classes in drawing, sketching and other areas now being offered at museums, colleges and universities is on the rise. As a result, there are now more artists working with these different mediums than in quite some time.

Different artists take different approaches when drawing the human form. For example, some may draw from photographs while others may use skeletal models. Whereas, some artist may draw solely from inspiration and memory. While this is case, most denounce drawing from photographs due to past comes which have often fallen flat in comparison to other mediums.

While light, dark and shadow play an important role in photography, the same goes for life and figure drawing. Artists often use light and shadow against the surface and curves of the body when sketching a live model. Whereas, others use light and shadow to create shapes and other figures within a primary drawing.

One reason a number of artists prefer to use graphite is that unlike ink and charcoal, it can be erased and manipulated. When using graphite, artists also have more choices when it comes to shades and tones as pencils often come in a variety of soft and hard options. By using these different aspects and elements, an artist can highlight specific points in a piece by casting either a light or shadow on the object.

A number of well known artists of past and present begin with a pencil drawing then override the pencil sketch with ink. One of the most prominent of these artists is that of Picasso. In many different works, especially when it comes to cubism, Pablo used this technique as an outline before finishing the piece.

As artists have been drawing the human figure since prehistoric time, it has remained a viable and popular art form for centuries. However, it has only been since the late 19th century that women were admitted into figure and life drawing classes. In fact, a number of historical documents show that nude models for aspiring female artists were largely unavailable at the time. As such, women have come along way in the art world as well as the world at large.




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