Drawing Figures

We will be drawing nude figures to better understand how to draw them in clothing. Think of figures as objects that have mass and volume, illuminated and thus possessing shadow—in other words, objects placed in a space familiar to us.... Learn to see the nature of light—how it affects form, on its planes, falling in different directions. We will separately study the human head and its structure. In other words, here you will find the foundations upon which you will draw original and convincing human figures. Interpretation, character, poses, emotions, clothing, and decorations—all will be up to you. Whatever you are drawing—advertising, illustrations for a book, a poster, or a calendar—the fundamentals remain the same. Technique is not as important as young artists usually think. Life and emotions, the ideals that you put into your work, are far more important. And of course, your taste in choosing clothing and background matters—provided that you have mastered the basics. Even the most fashionable clothing looks bad on a poorly drawn figure. Emotions cannot be conveyed with an incorrect facial structure. One cannot create colored illustrations without knowledge of light and shades, just as one cannot even hope to achieve a good composition without understanding perspective. Your task as an advertising artist is to praise and idealize what surrounds you. My task is to help you until you no longer need my assistance. After that, you will go on your own.” Andrew Loomis