How to Draw from Life

Drawing From Life

	STEP 1.

The initial step of every drawing is an attempt to find the movement of the image, and the basic underlying structure. As you can see by this elephant the basic movement is right to left. Those ar indicated by simple line. Next I find the skeletal structure of the animal. Most animals have similar skeleton structures, study those and you are half way there. These are indicated by mostly straight line, circles for joints, and the main forms of the ribcage, pelvis, and skull.

	STEP 2.

I next begin by finding the muscle structure . .. this is hard to do for beginner without familiarity with the human body. Most animals again have similar muscle structures and groups. This muscles is "wrapped" around the bone, using the bone as good placement indicators.

	STEP 3.

Now is the time to begin shadowing (another advanced skill, to be published later). Find the light source. Start with the mid range shadows, large spaces, and then go light and dark, and more detailed.

	STEP 4.

Now is the time for detail. Work the shadows, and line thicknesses until you become happy with the results. This drawing took perhaps an hour.

If you have questions, or would like to submit your pieces, you may contact us. More tutorials to follow in the near future