Figure drawing is considered to be one of the most demanding and at the same time most fascinating disciplines in the visual arts. For centuries, the depiction of the human body has not only served to train the eye and technique, but also to explore form, expression and aesthetics. In this article, we take a look at the tradition, significance and practical process of nude drawing – and show why it is far more than the mere study of anatomy.
What makes figure drawing so fascinating?
Artists throughout history have been fascinated with the human figure. Learning to draw the human form can be intimidating. However, the gender or the appearance of the model is irrelevant. These things don´t matter. The whole point of life drawing is a pure confrontation with the human body. It´s about anatomical structure, movement, and proportions, but also about recreating a special atmosphere and about being able to put it onto paper. This is the reason why often a piece of cloth or other items are used.
What exactly is figure drawing and why is it relevant – a brief explanation
For the students, who are just starting to learn the basic drawing skills, to represent a naked body can be daunting, to say the least. However, it plays a crucial role in the development of their artistic skills.
The parts of the body are considered in their structure, function and subordinated to the whole. You construct a simplified skeletal structure and simplified forms. This means that before drawing life you have to master the basics rules of drawing, that is, how proportions and forms can be rendered realistically, how to perfectly draw in perspective and how to draw light and shadow to create a 3D image.
How does figure drawing work in practice?
You start with a few preliminary studies before going to the actual drawing part. At this stage, you are asked to sketch the model in various poses in order to become familiar with the body, the perspectives, the relationship between light and shadow and the tonalities. Then, the model takes a long-time pose, so that a detailed study can be done.
The depiction of the naked human body has been part of classical art education at art schools for centuries. Therefore, of course, also at our Academy of Fine Art Germany. We begin with the main principles of drawing, by teaching to truly observe things and to understand how to draw nature realistically.
In particular, we teach how to render proportions and forms realistically, to create a 3-D effect through light and shadow, and to use pencil and charcoal alike. We start by drawing just single parts of the body and then increase the complexity by drawing bigger parts of the body and ultimately by drawing the entire body.
In a nutshell, how do I draw the human body?
- master the bases of drawing with pencil and charcoal (proportions, shapes, light & shadow, tonalities, 3-D effect)
- sketch the model in different poses and from different perspectives
- define the model’s long-pose and gradually draw until the artwork is completed
Want to learn more about drawing? Here are some exciting insights: