- use the background,
- establish a central axis,
- see the subject in terms of basic shapes,
- reference each part of the body against other parts of the body,
- establish correct proportions against the relative size of the head.
In the study below I drew the subject standing, lying and then sitting. I used one A2 piece of paper and an HB pencil. I did the sitting pose first and used the background lines of the sofa as a reference. I looked at the body in terms of different geometrical shapes and also used my pencil to judge how one part of the body lined up with another, or to establish one angle against another. I did find it helpful to use the pencil to measure the proportions but do feel that doing this slows me down when I am trying to make a quick sketch - so I also rely on my eye and am more inclined to do a quick check with the pencil here and there.
For the standing pose, rather a simple straightforward pose, it really helped to establish a central axis to see the more subtle positioning of everthing.
I think whatever age of the model, crouching for 10 minutes is nigh on impossible! I liked this alternative of a figure lying on their side in a curved position. It inspired me to do more work on the back area of the upper body which I find an interesting part of the body because its is strong and often full of visible bone, muscle and definition.
Below the model’s head was hanging back over the edge of the sofa. It made me think that poses that stretch and accentuate parts of the body help in the study of underlying anatomy and also are more interesting to draw.
