Gesture and Contour - the natural way to LEARN to draw

Рет қаралды 20,366

Күн бұрын

Use gesture and contour to unlock your own natural way of drawing and learn to draw. If you are learning to draw or learning to draw the figure, the book I discuss in this video is a wonderful support and resource. In this video I talk about The Natural Way to Draw. This book really shows you how to work with true gesture, the unifying element of your drawing, how to learn the right way to draw, and how to use gesture and contour to develop your artistic voice, through drawing and through drawing the figure
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Пікірлер: 115

@lynda8852 2 жыл бұрын

I have this book thank you for your view on it .It will help me to use it as like you say it intimedating .I just couldnt see myself doing 12 hours etc as you say So now i will read it right through and look for the points you mention This is the second time i have bought this book i bought it when i was a lot younger and gave it away So now i am determined to get the knowledge out of it thanks to your explaination Thank you so much for your video Best wishes Lynda

@Drawing-Life 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that feedback Lynda! I hope this new take on it will help - it's simply one of the best books about Figure Drawing, and it's a pity to miss out on his perspective because of all the schedules. There are definitely exercise that are described in the text that you can try, even if you don't have a live model to work with - but over and above that, his explanation of gesture and contour is excellent.

@lynda8852 2 жыл бұрын

@@Drawing-Life thank you for your reply i will use your comments

@davidschmidt4653 Жыл бұрын

@@Drawing-Life this book is available for free in PDF format, search the title followed by PDF

@kevingibbons6215 2 жыл бұрын

As of now I have 2,200 one-minute gesture drawings on 12x18 manila paper. I’m on schedule 9 right now myself. I’ve done every exercise exactly as directed and I repeated schedule 5 and 7. I spend about 75 minutes a day, 6 days a week for the last 8-10 month. I’ve saved all my work. I found a way to make this work using New Masters Academy figure references. I’ve developed my sense of proportion tremendously. I would be happy to show anybody exactly how I do this. The hardest part was doing the long form contour exercises faithfully as instructed.

@coreygraham860 Жыл бұрын

Good to hear. How long before you started noticing improvements?

@nicholasgarza951 Жыл бұрын

Are you an NMA member, or are you using free resources? I'd be delighted to see how your journey!

@samuelbanya Жыл бұрын

Nicolaidis is one of the most inspiring dudes on earth. That book is the only one I have read where he treats you like his pupil, but knows you're capable of amazing success. Hard to describe but none of Loomis's rambling books ever get close to this. Love your positive attitude, looking forward to checking out your channel!

@Drawing-Life Жыл бұрын

Hi Samuel, ah wow, what an awesome comment to get, thank you!! I completely agree Nicolaides is a true teacher as well as a master of drawing - I think the key is that he is able to articulate how to draw something that is non-verbal, the quality we see that is present in the figure but is not necessarily the simple 2D visual aspect. It is sad that he died so young, imagine how much more of his knowledge he could have given us!! Thank you so much for leaving a comment, and for watching! :)

@g3nius Жыл бұрын

I baught this book 20 years ago and in the past, it was already something magical in it, which pulled me. I drawed a bit and the feeling I learnd, I never lost. I felt a freedom and playfullness suddenly, also something intimate, which surprised me ... like a real sensual contact. But, at the end, it was my creation, even if i absord the model ... i recreated it. The point is, I never drew again since so many years and I feel it again, to do it now and stay with it.

@Drawing-Life Жыл бұрын

Wow, that's amazing to hear, I agree this book really does connect with the artistic process on a very deep, instinctive level and can be so powerful to experience. So glad to hear you experienced it, always remembered it, and never lost that feeling!

@edo_moya Жыл бұрын

Hey Siobhan, just found out your channel, nice mood! I just started the book, thanks for your insight, it's great help to hear another point of view. I'll comment some of my approach to it, maybe it can help other people watching. I decided to trust the book. In a good day i can give it the 3 hour session per day, but you can do a minimum of 1 hour per day ( maybe even 25 minutes per day) so you can go easy and just follow the schedule slowly (you don't need to do 12 hours of drawing straight, maybe just 1 hour a day for 12 days) I just follow all instruction blindly because that way i don't need to think what to do next I just do it, just like going to the gym. The willpower you need to just sit down and do another slow contour drawing (or maybe one exercise that you just don't like at all) is a nice practice of discipline, but if you follow the schedule in that way you can feel each day your hand/brain/eye skills growing and the understanding of the ideas is big. Also I just use photo reference and draw anything from still life or whatever i can ( so a nice balance between drawing from photos and drawing from real life, but don't sweat it, just draw, draw, draw, better than nothing!). At the end I use this as exercises on the side, not in a rush to finish the book but slowly going forward. I kind of need to draw for work so my approach may be a little rigid, but I think a person doing it for fun can do whatever they like, as long as you are putting the pencil on the paper (and moving it of course haha). Cheers!

@lorilambartist 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for reminding me of this great book! It’s been on my shelf since college, MANY years ago! I agree with your approach to reading and using it to explore gesture and contour drawing.

@1TimothyFourTen 8 ай бұрын

This is so helpful. My daughter owns this book. This is the first time I really understood the phrase draw what you see. I see now that I draw what I see, not what everybody else sees. ❤❤❤❤

@BoopathySrinivasan Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for the introduction to this book. Will try to find it in the library.

@sarahhill1492 Жыл бұрын

I’ve been on a self taught journey since covid and have gone down many rabbit holes looking for the right approach; loomis , Bargue… none have appealed as I could see it would require a process to “unlearn” the ridgity inherent in the method. I now have access to NMA and enjoying Glen Vilppu in particular as it seems the gesture comes before all else. I think this book maybe the missing link for me. Thank you for drawing attention to this. I was alarmed at the exercise schedule and will go forward with a kinder and more realistic approach to utilising its wisdoms. Your videos are unique out there❤

@Drawing-Life Жыл бұрын

Hi Sarah, wow this comment means so much, thank you for this! It's definitely not easy to journey the self taught route, and it can be so hard to navigate what seem like conflicting directives! A lot of people tend to say "this way is the way! not that way!" and it's only when you find what's right for you that you can start to really develop your voice in drawing. I love Niccolaides' emphasis on the right way to learn how to draw is learning what your own natural way of drawing really is. I love that he focuses on just learning to draw, over learning to abstract or conceptualist anatomy, or to aim for photo realism etc etc....Hope you can get to live figure drawing sessions soon as that will really help you go deeper in your drawing practice. Keep me posted!! :)

@jdigital1719 3 жыл бұрын

Your videos are so helpful, thank you for all the great tips and references 🙏🏼

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for watching! :)

@katjadavis9523 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely agree! I bought this book when I was 17 years old and just started drawing... this book has been my all time favorite ever since. He’s a true master and would have loved to be in his class. Thanks for mentioning him here! 🙌🙏

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for this Katja, its great to hear you also see the value in this book; i had the chance once to take a class at the Art Student League.... that was the closest I got to being in a class like that. At least we have the book, Thanks again ro watching, that means a lot!

@carolp6219 2 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPLY TO MY QUESTION. IT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE. SO MUCH APPRECIATED.

@nicholasgarza951 Жыл бұрын

I'm slowly going through this book and taking an in-person figure class for the first time. Personally, I don't think I could read through the book *and understand* without doing the exercises. You make a fantastic point about it developing how you see more so than drawing one exact method.

@susanabottiglieri3160 8 ай бұрын

You are the best!

@theHoneyandAbsinthe 3 жыл бұрын

Love this! I definitely agree that gesture is the best way to learn how to draw. Glad to always see your videos getting better and better!

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, that really means a lot :) thanks so much for that, and for watching!

@barbarajohnson1442 Жыл бұрын

Here I am 2yrs later! But what is time? Just wanted to say I find gesture drawing the hardest concept for people to get, when teaching, but the more you show it woven into great drawings, it does eventually grow in minds.

@timclayton8214 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for this enlightening video. I will buy and read the book right through. I am a beginner and want to avoid the angular look in so many finished charcoal drawings, even those by well known artists.

@petermukisaamegovu5450 3 жыл бұрын

Super helpful, started the book exercises yesterday. Was having doubts, thank you for clearing that up!!!

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Peter, that's great! Thanks so much for letting me know :)

@javiersoromontaner8271 2 жыл бұрын

Thank You for the vídeos, and too for recommending this book.

@Drawing-Life 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! I hope it helps you as much as it helped me :)

@iseefilm8 Жыл бұрын

I love gesture drawing

@itsshepherd5618 2 жыл бұрын

My husband found this at a yard sale and brought it home for me a few weeks ago. I’m happy to hear you say to read it through front to back. I’ll do that and then try to work thru the schedules. I plan to use my dogs as models for contour and gesture for the most part, that’s who I have access to; and I’m not too interested in drawing humans anyway.

@nessaferg9209 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for highlighting the unique value of this book. I bought it earlier this year and have read it twice because I thought it was so special. I abandoned the rigorous schedules quite soon but kept on with the main exercises in my own time. I also really value your gentle and inspiring videos.

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Nessa - wow this is wonderful to hear, so good to hear that you have also read it through a few times. it is really special. I think if you can apply the ideas in this book to drawing from life then you can really benefit quickly from what he's talking about. Thank you for this comment, very encouraging for me to hear (i'm always nervous how the videos will do when i put them out there!) Thanks for that! :)

@montygemma 3 жыл бұрын

I must try this. I do quite a bit of life drawing but I have noticed the best people at doing it are people who can keep their eyes on the subject about 80% of the time and look down about 20%, I can't do that, but I have been told this book helps develop that skill.

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Adrian, yes absolutely - it takes time, but you can get used to that way of observing / drawing. You'll see a massive improvement in the quality of your line and drawing

@peterhodson2791 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Siobhan. I love the idea of drawing, not what everyone else sees, but what you see … I wasn’t sure about this book but you’ve inspired me to get hold of a copy now and read it!

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

That's awesome to hear, thanks for this comment Peter, I would love to hear your thoughts after, let me know!

@adasatmc2007 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. Muchísimas gracias.

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching :)

@Monavassia Жыл бұрын

Thank you. This review is helpful and I have decided to buy the book now.

@Drawing-Life Жыл бұрын

Thanks Sam! That’s great to know, thanks for this comment. Hope you enjoy the book and get so much inspiration for your drawing.

@Heyzues21 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this ❤ hope you’re well

@Drawing-Life Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for watching!! 😊

@barbarajohnson1442 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your testimonial on Nicolaides! Cultivating Instinct is a great description of the process. Nice to find you.

@timetraveler7527 3 жыл бұрын

Got the book last year; after a couple weeks I felt the exercise schedule overwhelming indeed and stopped. After watching your video I feel motivated to read through the book. Thank you for sharing!

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad to hear this! thank you so much for letting me know, this book is a really good source of inspiration and gives so much context to why we draw the figure. Thanks for watching :)

@dianebaresich1580 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I've just begun working with this book and found his schedule so intimidating! I appreciate your views on this very much.

@Drawing-Life 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for watching :)

@Catazar3000 3 жыл бұрын

I bought this book 20 years ago when I was first starting to teach life drawing classes. I came across it quite by accident. I really wished I had read it back when I was a student. The exercises were a great resource. Quick gesture and contour drawings, reductive drawings ... There would always be a collective groan when I said we would be doing the 90 degree drawings. Everybody’s brain hurt afterwards but it was an amazing learning tool. Thanks for bringing it back to my attention. I’ve just got back into drawing again and now I’m off to dust down Kimon!!

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

I'm so happy to hear that! That's awesome... it's amazing how this book has remained a constant source of inspiration through so many years. Also, great to hear that you are back to drawing! Enjoy :)

@MFSG67 3 жыл бұрын

Your comments about this book are very helpful! I've had this book for 5 years now and stopped because I found the schedule punishing and parts of it unrealistic, especially getting a live model. I might just read the whole book and choose the exercises I can do realistically. Thank you so much.

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

That's awesome! I am glad this gave you thoughts to re-visit it! Hope you find it a useful book to just read through, I love his thoughts on figure drawing and his whole approach, so hope it's helpful!

@patszer8314 3 жыл бұрын

I downloaded this book a few days ago but I have not started it yet. I'm so glad you created a video on how to use it! Thank you Ms. Siobhan!

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

@Patszer wow! That's amazing, good timing!! :) thank you for watching 😊 let me know your thoughts once you've read it

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching this video, check the description for a link to the book, and let me know your thoughts on this approach to learning to draw?

@rydabaker 5 ай бұрын

I worked through this book in 2021 and did all of the exercises. I also watched this video back then as well. I agree that following the schedule exactly may not be necessary. However, I do suggest doing the majority of the exercises one time before moving on. So, in section one you may only do a few contours and a few gestures before moving on. Also, certain exercises are more important than others. According to Nicoliades, the most important is the daily composition. This is one I’ve struggled to do on a regular basis and the contour is very difficult for me to slow down and do. So i am going back to work some of these exercises out.

@TheSnakeh 2 жыл бұрын

I bought this book several years ago and attempted to follow the schedules about three times... I never finished it due to this. With your advice, I will go ahead and follow your suggestions. Back then, I wasn't about to find this kind of info online about the book. Thank you so much for the video!

@Drawing-Life 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful! Let me know if it makes more sense now, would love to hear your feedback

@EnnyFromNL Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the recommendation, Siobhan! I’ve had this book for many years but was put off by the complexity of the terms and assignments. I will give it another try, just to read the entire book, front to back, and not worry about the schedules and assignments 😊👍🏻

@Drawing-Life Жыл бұрын

Hope you enjoy it! Let me know how you get on! :)

@jeconquy Жыл бұрын

Nice video, nice say! "Developping your instincts" I totally agree. I believe that in our society we are tought to rely too often on rationality. Short-circuiting the mind the ideal way to draw. Developing what Pierre Bourdieu calls "Habitus" by praticing every day until drawing becomes second nature short circuiting the mind like experimental jazz players (the example Bourdieu uses to illustrate his point on "Habitus")I'll try to get the book it seems very interesting as an approach and affordable. Thanks again for another tip!

@PhilipReader 5 ай бұрын

Showing the model photo is a good. help

@papiyachanda3593 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much. This is an amazing book which father got for me. But as it is bought by my father, I was put the burden of doing as instructed. Which is as you said unreasonable. However it is a great source for me to put my thoughts into paper my own way

@sylvainst-pierre5224 Жыл бұрын

Yep ! i had the book for a few years and never got to 25% of it. I will try your method of using it. Will let you know. Tks

@Drawing-Life Жыл бұрын

Awesome, yes do let me know! :)

@LucJMVanAssche 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Siobhan, ' learning how to draw at your own natural way' .... now that is an interesting quote. I think it is a life times work....Thanks again for sharing this amazing video. Kind regards from Antwerp.

@Drawing-Life 2 жыл бұрын

Ha! Yes, "A lifetime's work".... isn't that a wonderful idea though!? I think to be able to continually learn more,, and go deeper in your drawing practice, as you develop as an artist, is the goal, not just to reach a certain level where you say "this is it!" (hope that makes sense!) thanks for this, a great comment to receive. Waving to Antwerp from S.A. 👋

@thisearththeonlyheaven 3 жыл бұрын

I have had this book for a long time, used it now and then, but never really used it as per the schedules - some of them seemed painful at the time. After a too long art break maybe it is time revisit some of these ideas with your suggestions in mind to help keep it fun.

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

Yes! I would say it's definitely time :) read it through and apply the gesture and contour exercises to what you have around you, if you can draw from life all the better. This is so awesome to hear, I'm so glad, thank you for this comment and thanks for watching

@johnqa Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the recommendation. I've always been a fan of automatic and expressive approaches to drawing. I also like Ernest W. Watson's comments in his book The Art of Pencil drawing, in chapter 2, where he speaks of seeing intimately the relationship of that which you are drawing, which is beyond the mechanical aspect of optics and eyesight. I am reminded too of the poet Francis Ponge, who imagined the inner nature of 'things' he wrote about in a more intimate, descriptive way. Anyway, would love to stay in touch.

@Drawing-Life Жыл бұрын

Hi John, what a great comment, thank you for this, I have not come across Ernest Watson, so will definitely look into that book you mention. Really appreciate it! Thank you so much for watching

@johnqa Жыл бұрын

@@Drawing-Life I believe he supported a 'new realism' in art, but made some various contributions. On a different note, have you delved much into AI art?

@Drawing-Life Жыл бұрын

@@johnqa I haven't made any serious attempt at getting to grips with AI art yet other than just experimenting a little bit with Midjourney. I was recently asked to do a portrait of a historical figure, and I considered using AI to generate a photo realistic image as reference since there are no photos of individuals from back then, but I had little success. I can see where AI can be a super useful tool in some areas, especially for generating reference images. My take on it in general at this early stage is that it's a good tool, it will certainly replace artists working in commercial sectors like designers, especially for clients that want instant output. But for those artists, I would imagine it can only be a huge creative freedom to be rid of those clients!! haha! we will see how it develops.....

@johnqa Жыл бұрын

@@Drawing-Life I agree, It's a good way to generate reference material, but also to seed ideas, brainstorm and/or add randomness. As for designers, it is already making their jobs easier, but will probably take away jobs too. It will be interesting to see how text to video is used in film. It won't replace creative ideas and the ability to tie them all together, and there will always be a place for expressive and handmade art. Just my thoughts on the matter. It seems for now that it's here to stay for better or worse.

@moviethegame8839 3 жыл бұрын

your grate keep at it yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

:) thanks for watching

@betweenthepanels9145 3 жыл бұрын

Very helpful. I’ve given up on this book once I tried to follow the schedule. Picking it back up again.

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, that's awesome to hear, I hope you get a lot out of it now, thank you for this comment, that's so great :)

@MartiHectorR 3 жыл бұрын

Me too!

@scottmcguirk4848 3 жыл бұрын

A collage professor had is own system for teaching and would recommend the ‘natural way to draw”. He was tougher than the book. Class was gesture drawing till your arm was ready to fall off and contour homework. If if wasn’t clicking for you, he would say double homework time. Spent 20, then next week 40.....I think the key is to be that serious but keep it fun.

@veronicadavila3180 Жыл бұрын

You are certainly a natural!!! I was struggling on artistic expression

@Drawing-Life Жыл бұрын

Thank you Veronica, I was the same for a long time! For me it's definitely about the way of observing, and the way you make marks, I hope this makes sense. Let me know!

@veronicadavila3180 Жыл бұрын

@@Drawing-Life your welcome, I will keep you posted on my progress I'm a big fan

@WintermuchieChannel 3 жыл бұрын

So sad to know that he died early.. yet he has a legacy that will help all aspiring artist! Thanks for this video! just joined your channel :D

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, i appreciate you watching :) yes, it is sad that he died so young, he was in all ways a brilliant teacher and mentor. Thanks for joining the channel, that's great! :)

@WintermuchieChannel 3 жыл бұрын

@@Drawing-Life You're welcome.. I'm a small content creator as well and I appreciate collaborating with other artists as well.. :D

@Petercobourg 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. I am supposed to teach an art course in our very remote highschool and I found 5 copies of this book in one of the cupboards. I will certainly read it now and will likely use it. Thanks again. :)

@Drawing-Life 2 жыл бұрын

@peterknight ah great!! What a find :) I'm sure it will help you out loads, that's exciting that you get to teach art, good luck! I hope it goes really well

@Petercobourg 2 жыл бұрын

@@Drawing-Life thank you. :)

@MrEllinan 3 жыл бұрын

When I decided to learn properly how to draw I bought this book and boy it is tough. I literally started from scratch three or four times already. The insights are brilliant but doing the schedules as stated just burn you out, specially if a you're a full beginner: the half-hour blind contour drawings are brutal! But now I can see the book with different eyes thanks to you and tackle it in a way I can really put it to good use, not only for artistic grinding purposes or mindless work! :D But then comes the question: how do you realize the moment when you're natural way of drawings clicks? Can you tell a sign of a sort? 🤔

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, this is wonderful to hear! I'm so glad you shared that . I hope you read it now with new interest and can get valuable information and inspiration! How do you realize the moment when you're natural way of drawing clicks...... Well I would say it arrives when you get a feeling sensation of just drawing, not thinking or judging. It might be difficult to discern at first, but with practice it becomes a feeling of connection with the subject that you're drawing. One of the quickest ways to access this, honestly, is to practice blind drawing! Maybe not for half an hour, but for as long as you can. Blind drawing really switches the brain into right-brain-drawing-mode, and even though your finished drawing might not "look" good, the experience you have of connecting and observing will lead you right to your natural, responsive drawing. I hope this answers your question!? :)

@MrEllinan 3 жыл бұрын

@@Drawing-Life actually that makes a lot of sense. Just recently I was spending who knows how much time drawing with no pressures nor high demanding outcomes: it felt so good just for the enjoyable experience and nothing else! Still uncomfortable for the blind contour drawings although not for the outcome but the the mental effort to not rush! I'll definitely add those to my regular activities but with a more friendly approach! Thanks for that insightful advice :)

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

@@MrEllinan great! Keep me posted, let me know how you get on! :)

@Fudgesample1118 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Ive been trying to use the “The Natural Way to Draw” by Nicolaides. It’s very overwhelming to do. You make it easier to understand. I read this book 40 years ago. I got frustrated and didn’t use it. Do you have anymore videos that pertain to this book? You have a relaxed way of teaching. The tone of your voice has a nice flow and your instructions are easy to follow, better than anyone else Ive seen online. How do I get to your classes online? Thank you

@Drawing-Life 2 жыл бұрын

Hi there! I'm so sorry for the late reply on this!! thank you for this comment - to answer your question, i don't have any more videos as yet, about this book specifically, I tried to distill everything I wanted to say about it into this one video, but I'll definitely consider making more! In fact, I think a series of videos working with the ideas in this book would be awesome, and your question has prompted me to think about that!! I'll keep you posted :) Then to answer your question about online classes, if you use this link: skl.sh/3wXW9rm then you can join my Skillshare class and get 1 month of premium subscription free. Hopefully the course interests you! Let me know if you have any questions?

@carolp6219 2 жыл бұрын

AGAIN MUST THANK YOU SIOBHAN. I WANT TO ASK YOUR OPINION IN THE VERY FRST EX. 1 IT SAYS 1 DRAWNG FOR 30 MIN. I TEND TO FINISH WAY BEFORE . I UNDERSTAND ONE IS RUSHING .SHOULD IT BE REPEATED TO TILL THE 30 MIN IS UP . OR SHOULE ONE YOU THINK BETTER TO GO TO THE NEXT INSTRUCTIONS.? SO APPRECIATE YOU TEACHING.

@Drawing-Life 2 жыл бұрын

hI Carol, I wouldn't get too rigid to the time - unless of course you are really going fast, but if you are 20 mins or so into it, and you feel that you've finished the drawing, I think that is fine. If you find that after only 10 mins or 15 that you are done, then you should probably try to slow the drawing down even more, rather than repeat it again within the time frame. Hope this makes sense. :)

@tenzingbhotia21 3 жыл бұрын

Hi there . Thank u for the video . I am a total beginner to life drawing and looking at where to begin. Will this book be helpful for me ?.or should i have some sort of knowledge beforehand of life drawing ?

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Tenzing, in my opinion this book is perfect for beginners precisely because it doesn't focus right away on anatomy or proportions, it shows you how to "see" as an artist and how to make marks. Thats a hugely powerful foundation on which to build a figure drawing skillset. You don't need to have any prior knowledge to use this book or to follow the exercises! Hope it helps!

@tenzingbhotia21 3 жыл бұрын

@@Drawing-Life thank you so much Siobhan . I will definately get this book . Really like your channel and your insight . Hope you get more popular . All the best

@Drawing-Life 3 жыл бұрын

@@tenzingbhotia21 ah thanks!! Thanks so much for your support.

@hansen407gospel 2 жыл бұрын

Do you by Any Chance, know of an online resource that teaches/practices “the natural way to draw”? I would find it very helpful with a little more explanation of the exercises and also someone to practice with.

@Drawing-Life 2 жыл бұрын

@L.Hansen sorry for the late reply here - I don't know off hand of a full teaching course that follows this book... I'll keep you in mind if I do come across anything that might be useful.

@coreygraham860 Жыл бұрын

Found one here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nc94odSckpeXoWg.html

@jasoncollins865 2 жыл бұрын

I've been looking for a book on gesture..would you recommend it if you're not able to draw from life?

@Drawing-Life 2 жыл бұрын

@jasoncollins if you're looking for a book on gesture drawing then, yes, I would definitely recommend it. I think if you can't draw from life you can still get an understanding of the approach and work on the techniques, drawing from photo reference. It does make a difference to draw from life, but when you eventually do get back to a live figure drawing class, then you'll have so much more understanding about how to draw in that context

@jasoncollins865 2 жыл бұрын

@@Drawing-Life Ok. Thanks for your response 😊

@kingmebrown1059 2 жыл бұрын

I WANT TO DRAW!, IS GESTURE DRAWING A GOOD PLACE TO START ?

@wackywanderlust1545 Жыл бұрын

I have a question for you. Do you think practising a particular form of drawing skill, for example, contour drawing practice will hamper your skill of drawing another form of figure drawing practice. I generally draw first the structure, tilt of shoulder, pelvis, round the shoulders, and lines of limbs and then begin my form. It helps me draw a more proportionate figure. lastly, I detail fine lines, and strokes which I believe make all the difference. Lately, I tried contour drawing and it changed into counterfeit Picasso style. For obvious reasons, I didn't like it. Still I continued to work on contour, and then when went back to my usual practice of drawing figures, I somehow lost touch, a bit rough in my practice.

@Drawing-Life Жыл бұрын

This is an interesting question - and actually very timely because I'm uploading a video tomorrow about the topic of contour drawing and observation. To answer you here though, I don't believe that one form of drawing skill will impede or hamper another drawing skill, as you put it. It all feeds into a well rounded practice and skillset. So definitely experiment, test and develop other approaches or exercises. Going a little bit further into your question though, i will say that you might not realize the purpose or reason behind contour drawing - at it's basic level it is an exercise that improves observation - hence why your drawing turns out differently from what you expect. But, worked with over time, it' can be a wonderful way to make a finshed drawing. Personally I rely on contour drawing to find edges and forms, and I rely on gesture to find the expression. Hope this helps!! Watch out for my video tomorrow, and will definitely upload more about this technique.

@wackywanderlust1545 Жыл бұрын

@@Drawing-Life Thank you very much..I like some of your drawing techniques..I wish you to create a video on a complete figure drawing with a conte pencil...i don't draw with conte or charcoal because i am still learning and I feel charcoal and Conte masquerade mistakes and look like very artistic..but I want to learn shading and drawing from an experienced artist like you..respect from India..

@Drawing-Life Жыл бұрын

@@wackywanderlust1545 thank you so much for your kind words!! I don't know if I'm the best to learn shading from lol .... I don't really have a proper approach to shading and rendering.😅 But some day I will make a video on a complete figure drawing for you (if you want, in the meantime you can join me on Skillshare, there is a link in the description, you get 1 month free).... So great to know you're in India 🇮🇳 ❤ Thank you for your support!