NEED HELP !

**laprincesse123** · January 17th, 2013, 08:07 AM

so I am living in a city where there are no figure drawing classes . so I thought it would be good to work from the natural way to draw but I figured out that I have to have a life drawing . My question is would it be OK to work from figure drawing model software . if so which software is the best because I want to get a degree in animation and currently working on developing my skills before applying and I DEFIANTLY don't want to get any bad habits or wrong concepts.

**HarbingerofIllRepute** · January 17th, 2013, 01:05 PM

If you look hard enough, there's a figure drawing class everywhere you go with a very dynamic cast of unique characters.
It's called life drawing for a reason. -.^
As far as software goes, there is almost no substitute for a live reference, but in my days of 3D exploration, I've found that Poser was pretty alright.

Software aside, try to spontaneously sketch people as you go about your day, or give sites like posemaniacs.com a go.

**laprincesse123** · January 18th, 2013, 02:48 AM

@HarbingerofIllRepute believe me I have searched A LOT my country is conservative and its is unethical to pose nude or even in swimsuit

**laprincesse123** · January 18th, 2013, 05:03 AM

please any help ?

**arenhaus** · January 18th, 2013, 05:24 AM

Originally Posted by laprincesse123

My question is would it be OK to work from figure drawing model software.

Sorry, no. An artist with enough experience could use such software in a pinch, but for a beginner it is not a replacement for life drawing. The computer models never look completely right or natural, they typically bend in wrong ways, and ignore all muscle action.

Sketch clothed people. Get some anatomy books to learn what structures to look for. Look at nude photos, tracking the structures (but don't copy the photos directly). Watch sports videos, full speed and slowed down, to get familiar with body dynamics.

**Symson** · January 18th, 2013, 05:29 AM

Ask your family and friends to pose for you. Go to the mall and park to sketch people.

**laprincesse123** · January 18th, 2013, 10:23 AM

anyother advice about how to study figure drawing would be appreciated

**Symson** · January 24th, 2013, 07:38 PM

If you live near a beach, that would be a good place to go sketching also.

**QueenGwenevere** · January 24th, 2013, 09:23 PM

Drawing from life doesn't have to be nude, and doesn't have to be an official life drawing group. If there is anywhere you can draw regular people in public places, that's always good practice. If you're worried about attracting attention, the best option for sketching people might be any kind of public performance (musicians, dancers, actors, etc.) Or sports events. Places where spectators are normal, and you can just be another spectator, but with a discreet sketchbook.

Mirrors are also a good substitute for having models, and with a mirror you can practice in the privacy of your own home, so nobody should have any objections. If you can get two full-length mirrors, you can even do side views and back views.

**Izi** · January 24th, 2013, 11:54 PM

The proper start for a beginner student in European Academic Realism is with a master copy drawing, then a master cast drawing. So just get some prints in black and white of master copies (of nudes if you like) and do that. 3d models are not okay because they are fake, not usually by a master and not usually very well done - they are so stiff. Look at some famous digital artists everyne can tell copy from poser. It isn't proper or aesthetically pleasing.

The human body see human flaws most readily than any other subject. It is important that your reference be spot on. Photography sometimes conceals to much, and it is not interpreted by the human eye, which is why we prefer master copies.

**QueenGwenevere** · January 25th, 2013, 12:36 AM

Just to add a caveat, while master copies and casts can be good exercises for observation and accuracy, gesture drawings are going to be your most important exercise if you want to go into animation. You'll need to master action and attitude and body language and a whole range of body types, and gesture is ideal for that.

Animation studios often ask to see a sketchbook full of gesture drawings as part of your portfolio, so be prepared for that...

By the way, you might want to look into Glen Vilppu as a source of instruction in addition to Nicolaides - he'd probably be good for an animation approach to drawing.

**Izi** · January 25th, 2013, 01:44 AM

quite right. I hate doing animation so I have no idea what animators do to animate stuff

if I were trying to learn animation, I might try just parking my ass on a bench somewhere and painting people in motion.

**Syle** · January 25th, 2013, 02:50 AM

Sounds like you are really only left with one option. Just go out and draw people on the streets, in cafes, wherever. To really study the figure, it would be nice if they were nude, but you gotta do what you gotta do I guess.

**laprincesse123** · February 11th, 2013, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by Symson

If you live near a beach, that would be a good place to go sketching also.

That is GREAT I live on a costal city

**laprincesse123** · February 11th, 2013, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by QueenGwenevere

Just to add a caveat, while master copies and casts can be good exercises for observation and accuracy, gesture drawings are going to be your most important exercise if you want to go into animation. You'll need to master action and attitude and body language and a whole range of body types, and gesture is ideal for that.

Animation studios often ask to see a sketchbook full of gesture drawings as part of your portfolio, so be prepared for that...

By the way, you might want to look into Glen Vilppu as a source of instruction in addition to Nicolaides - he'd probably be good for an animation approach to drawing.

can't thank u enough