Figure drawing is the art of sketching the human figure, often done live with a nude model standing or sitting in a pose that emphasizes the figure. This process helps the artist capture the essence of the human body's musculature, texture, and postures.
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| Page from one of Andrew Loomis' Books on Figure Drawing |
Fine Art
It is a technique or process used to create a drawing while directly observing a figure from life or observing a live model posing.
Drawing from a live model is crucial to an artist's development; it is one of the most longstanding aspects of their training with centuries of history.
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| Mannequin |
What Are Mannequins Used For?
In the Visual Arts, they are used for practice in figure drawing or painting. It is best to work from a live model. However, models can get expensive, so we use smaller-scale mannequins or drawing aids instead.
Mannequins can be placed in various poses, holding them much longer than a live model. Larger-scale mannequins are used by designers and dressmakers to display clothing in windows.
A mannequin is defined in the dictionary as "A life-size or partial representation of the human body, used for the fitting or displaying clothes; a dummy. "It is a jointed model of the human body used by artists, especially to demonstrate the arrangement of drapery. Also called lay figure." The word originated from the Middle Dutch, where it was called manikin or little man.
The classic wooden model is the simplest one and comes from the 19th century, but there are more on the market now that are atomically correct.
- "A Better Mannequin" - by Jessica Emmett
- SH Figuarts Man Pale Orange Takarai Rihito Edition Action Figure - by Entertainment Earth
Resources
- Proko - free quality video tutorials with a sense of humor and a wealth of information.
- The History of Life Drawing - is crucial to an artist's development. It is one of the most longstanding aspects of an artist's training with centuries of history.
- When Does Painting a Portrait Violate the Subject's' Rights? - An article on the legalities of the line between art and commerce?
- The Figure Drawing Lab - to better understand the elements that make up the human figure and how to portray them.
Online Lessons for Purchase
- Proko - pay for more content to quality video tutorials with a sense of humor and a wealth of information.
- New Master Academy well know artists that cover all topics and mediums, some videos are free, and most videos are pay by monthly for access.
- The Drawing Academy - pay only once in exchange for unlimited viewing.
- Web Art Academy - pay only once in exchange for unlimited viewing.
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