Life Model - Charcoal

For this lesson we had a male model which I tend to find quite difficult. We drew a few very short continious line drawings to loosen up again and become comfortable. In this class we were encouraged to use charcoal. Again, after so long of not using this medium, I was a little apprehensive but also quite excited to use this again. I quite like the bold and rough appearance that charcoal can bring.

Our tutor asked us to try another method where we blacked out the paper with charcoal and tried to depict the figure with our erasers; showing the highlights. This was interesting but I don't feel it was very succusseful for me as I struggled to measure and plan out the drawing. I find it quite difficult to spontaneously draw-as-I-go. Although I do hope with these classes, that I will find it easier to do this and that my confidence will increase.

We then drew some longer poses. I measured out and created the outline with my pencil before completing it with charcoal. Here, I think it worked well. However the left foot looks off as it was facing away from me but actually it simply appears too small in proportion. I can see that my mistake was in the length and shape of the toe. I find hands quite difficult to draw as well and the hand on his knee was quite a challenge; mainly because of the angle I was viewing it at.

Another longer pose, although I felt that I ran out of time which is a shame as I was really enjoying this piece. I wanted to try pencil again and my lines are getting a little cleaner and more confident. My downfall here I think is the face; always a challenge and particularly when the angle is unusual. However this is something I feel I have improved on over the years. Being an animtor, I have to be able to get these right; movement causes very varied angles on all features of the form that is being animated.