Measuring with a "Grid" and blocking in the drawing is an important step in producing a realistic rendition of the subject. This is similar to comparing the relative sizes of different parts of the subject with each other as you would in a life drawing. When attempting to draw a complicated shape such as a human figure, some artists find it helpful at first to represent the form with a set of shapes, that is some combination of a cube, sphere or cylinder etc. Once these basic shapes have been assembled into a likeness, then the drawing can be refined into a more accurate and polished form. The art of figure drawing relies upon the artist understanding anatomy and the human proportions.
In developing the image, you should focus on the shapes created by the interplay of light and dark values on the surfaces of the body.This is the technique of varying the tonal values on the paper to represent the shadows and their placement on the figure.
Careful attention to reflected light, shadows, and highlights can result in a very realistic rendition of the image. (See this 17th Century Dutch drawing, similar to a Rembrandt, of a sitting woman.)
The figure I have drawn below shows how you can plot the shadows which are formed by the interplay of light on the body.
If you carefully examine the photo of your subject you will note the various light and dark values. Begin to plot them vary much like the contours of a geographical or survey map. Looking down on a body is a bit like looking from an aircraft at the land below. Mountains and valleys are obvious folds in the landscape especially when the sun is low and shadows are formed.
Remember if you are interested in my classes I am available to give personal instruction in my Prahran studio.
You can contact me on 0417 566 276.
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