Portfolio Submission Three

GA1A01 - Theoretical Foundations of Art and Design – Six Life Drawings

Drawing 1: Gestures of female model

I decided to submit this drawing because I believe it demonstrates an understanding of form, movement and weight. This drawing comprises of three sketches, each of the same model in different poses. The sketches also differ in the amount of time spent on each; therefore they also differ in the amount form and weight.

The centre drawing was done within the least amount of time, so it only comprises of gesture lines. Even so, the flow of movement can be seen by from how the lines curve from the head to the spine to the legs and arms, both creating the form and showing positions of where they are.

The outer two drawings show more form and weight than the centre as they also comprises of spherical forms. As seen in both drawings, the centre of weight is in her buttocks, with the weight of her tummy pulling towards this centre in the left drawing. Movement can be seen in her spine how it creates a wave-like shape.

Improvements that could be made to the drawings include more visible gesture lines in the outer two drawings, and if the drawings were more in the correct proportion.

Wang, Q. (2013). Gestures of female model.

Drawing 2: Posterior pose of female model

I chose this drawing as it is a more refined drawing of the previous three of the same model and shows better anatomy. The gesture lines and spherical forms can clearly be seen within the outlines, similar to a combination of the previous three. A smaller gesture only drawing of the same pose is situated on the top-right of the page.

A distinctive feature of this drawing compared to the previous three is the twist in her waist. The twist can be seen in the gesture line of her spine, showing movement. The spherical forms in this drawing create a more proportionate drawing than the previous three.

Improvements that can be made would be a better eye for detail, especially her legs. Her knee lacks proper form from an anterior view, and her lower legs are not correctly in proportion.

Wang, Q. (2013). Posterior pose of female model. 

Drawing 3: Box form gestures

I chose this drawing even though it is rather rough because box form emphasises on movement and form rather than accurate anatomy. This drawing comprises of two fighting stance poses, the left a mid-punch pose and the right an injured pose.

These two poses show strong movement, as this can be seen from the curves and twists within the gesture lines and box forms. The curves can be seen in the left pose with the arms positioned 90 degrees to the torso and the right leg bend and tip-toed. The twists can be seen in the right pose around the torso as the boxes are not lined up with each other and a progressive twist of the boxes from top down and vice versa.

Improvements that could be made would be stronger outlines to show the box forms more clearly, and tidier boxes as there are too many diamond-shaped boxes that did not quite fit the box form style.

Wang, Q. (2013). Box form gestures.   

Drawing 4: Overlapping poses

I chose this drawing because out of all my life drawings, I believe this one shows the most understanding of weight distribution. The drawing comprises of three poses which overlap onto each other, but all share a common pivot point. This pivot point is set in the centre of contact between the model and the surface he is sitting on. The three poses combine together to show the model getting up from a surface as if he was getting out of bed.

The first of the poses shows the model lying on the surface with his bodyweight shifting downwards. This can clearly be seen by looking at the model’s waist and hips as there is a noticeable curve inwards that would not be seen in an upright position.

The second pose is the intermediate pose showing the distribution of weight shifting from all over his body to his right arm and shoulder. This weight support can be seen by the way his arm is stretched straight to be used leverage for his entire body, with the muscles in the arms tightened.

The third and final pose shows the distribution of weight shifting from his right arm to his buttocks, as he is now in a sitting pose. His left arm is leaning on his left knee, showing small weight leverage of his torsos. His right arm is no longer leverage and this can be seen by the relaxed muscles in the arm.

An obvious improvement that could be made to this drawing is to not have the poses be cut off the top of the page. I made a mistake with the starting pivot point of this drawing, therefore the positioning of the three poses ended up as they did.

Wang, Q. (2013). Overlapping poses.

Drawing 5: Transitional poses

I chose this drawing because I believe this one shows the most understanding of movement out of all my drawings so far. The drawing comprises of three poses which each occupy a third of the page in landscape. The poses show the model getting up from a starting position into a sprinting pose, representing the movement of an athlete during the start of a sprint.

The first pose shows the model kneeling with his left hand on the ground and head facing to his right. The distribution of weight and nearly all his force focused on his right knee so that he would be able to push himself up with velocity. His right hand is place on top of the knee so that in movement he would push the arm onto the knee, and the force of the push will lift his upper body up.

The second pose shows the model just on his feet from the previous pose, this time weight and force shifting to his left leg to start creating momentum for the sprint. His right arm swings to keep his body in balance. As he had just gotten up, his head has yet to face upwards.

The third pose shows the model taking his first step in the sprint, now with his head up and facing on eye level. His legs and arms have alternated in force.

The big improvement to this drawing would include properly lining up the poses to give correct perspective, which again I made a mistake with the positioning of the first pose.

Wang, Q. (2013). Transitional poses.

Drawing 6: Sitting Pose

I chose this drawing because I believe this one shows good understanding of anatomy. The pose was difficult to get proportionate, but I believe I can point out the mistakes.

The pose shows the model leaning on her right arm as leverage, her left leg over her right, left arm relaxed on her legs and waist, and head facing 45 degrees to the right. Her clavicles are prominent, her ribcage can be see through the shape above her waist, and her tibia bulging out due to the left leg being pressed against her right.

The mistakes and lack of details in this drawing would be:

·        Her hands which still lack correct anatomical especially with the carpal bones.

·        Her neck and the lack of details on the face.

·        Lacking detail on her toes and metatarsals.

·        Her torso may be a slight big longer than anatomically correct. 

Wang, Q. (2013). Sitting Pose.