Exercise 2:
GESTURE DRAWING
IN THIS EXERCISE, YOU WILL DRAW WITH ABANDON AND CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF YOUR SUBJECT QUICKLY. GESTURE DRAWING HAS ALWAYS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH FIGURE DRAWING, BUT I LIKE TO APPLY IT TO OBJECTS OR ARCHITECTURE, TOO. THERE IS NO OPPORTUNITY FOR OVERTHINKING IN THIS EXERCISE. IT IS SO FREEING, AND I LOVE THAT SKETCHY FEEL THAT HAS PASSION, EMOTION, AND MOVEMENT IN IT.
MATERIALS
Timer (optional)
Drawing instrument of choice
Sketch paper, printer paper, or a paper bag
Craft paper or cardstock
1. I prefer to stand with my drawing pad propped up at an angle: It makes for a looser hand while drawing gesturally. Set up your drawing materials and reference objects in a way that is comfortable for you.
2. Set a timer for 20 to 60 seconds per object (this is optional). Study your object quickly and draw quickly. As your eye follows the shape, your drawing hand captures the essence of what you see. The drawing should not be perfect or realistic. Make your marks intentional and decisive.
3. Using five to ten sheets of inexpensive sketch paper, draw individual sketches of your object.
4. When you are finished with your individual sketches, draw five to ten of your favorites on one sheet of craft paper or cardstock to create a final piece of art.
5. Your drawing will have personality in its lines and curves. You can see this as you start and stop and as you move quickly up, down, and around the page. Think of your gesture drawing as a short story rather than a novel.