SHOWING MOVEMENT

SHOWING MOVEMENT 

All the parts of the body combine to show movement of the figure. Our jointed skeleton and muscles allow us to bend and stretch into many different positions. To create drawings with realistic poses, it helps to study how a body looks and changes when stretched or flexed, as well as when sitting or standing. Begin by drawing the line of action (a line to indicate the curve and movement of the body) or "gesture" first; then build the forms of the figure around it.

Extending and Contracting The spine is flexible and allows us to bend many ways while stretching and contracting our Limbs_ These three poses show how the shape of the body can change drastically while the proportions stay the same.

Stretching and Bending You almost can feel the muscles stretching on this cheer leader's body as she pulls up her right leg behind her head. Notice how the bending figure creates wrinkles and tightly stretched areas in the clothing. Be sure to draw these creases and smooth areas to make your drawing believable

Everyday Action This woman kneeling in her garden is bending into an 5 shape. All wrinkles or folds in the fabric are on the inward side of the body's bend; the back side is fairly smooth. The curve of her turned head has only a slight influence on the line of action.