Nude Models

Sketching the nude models was a very new experience for me. While I was initially very nervous, I came to realize that this was something unlike anything that I had ever done and in may ways it was significantly more interesting. Instead of drawing the same still life for hours, drawing a person doing different things was a lot more dynamic.

However, because this was something unlike anything I have ever done, it came with its challenges. Adhering to the correct proportions proved to be very difficult, especially with the hands, feet, head, and face. Also foreshortening was an extremely difficult thing to encounter. During one of the sessions, I was in such a position so that no matter what the model did, one of her features was always being foreshortened.

While these difficulties continue to appear with each session, it also seems as though each time gets a little easier. Due to practicing, it seems as though I have developed a more formulated way of approaching these problems. One of which is sketching the surrounds. Another is using the shapes of negative space to form relations between the model and the objects surrounding her.

A quote by Hoffman that could be applied to these sketches is: "Art cannot result from sophisticated, frivolous, or superficial effects." Drawing the figure requires observation and the ability to convey what is being viewed onto paper. Doing this requires nothing but natural abilities, and no extra effects.


Some of my sketches from the different sessions are shown below (and in following posts).
Oct 21: