Figure drawing
Figure drawing, also known as "life drawing," is an exercise in drawing the human body in its various shapes and positions. It is arguably the most difficult subject an artist commonly encounters. For this reason, it is often taught separately from other forms of art. It is considered valuable groundwork for portraiture, comic book illustration, sculpture, medical illustration, and other fields that use depictions of the human form. Figure drawing can be done very simply (with charcoal, for example), or in more detail, by pencil or using other forms of drawing tools. If paint is used, the process may be called "figure painting".
Approaches
Artists take a variety of approaches to drawing the human figure. Some focus on the shapes created by the interplay of light and dark values on the surfaces of the body. Others take an anatomical approach, beginning by approximating the internal skeleton of the figure, overlaying the internal organs and musculature, and covering those shapes with the skin, and finally (if applicable) clothing; study of human internal anatomy is usually involved in this technique. Another approach is to loosely construct the body out of primitive shapes, e.g. a sphere for the cranium, a cylinder for the torso, etc. then refine those shapes to more closely resemble the human form.
For those working without visual reference (or as a means of checking one's work) proportions commonly recommended in figure drawing are:
- An average person, is generally 7-and-a-half heads tall (including the head).
- An ideal figure, used for an impression of nobility or grace, is drawn at 8 heads tall.
- An heroic figure, used in the heroic for the depiction of gods and superheroes, is eight-and-a-half heads tall. Most of the additional length comes from a bigger chest and longer legs.
Note that these proportions are most useful for a standing model. Poses which introduce foreshortening of various body parts will cause them to differ.
Studio instruction
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Figure drawing instruction is an element of most Fine Art and Illustration programs. In a typical figure drawing studio classroom, the students sit around a model either in a semi-circle (usually preferred), or a full circle. No two students have exactly the same view, thus their drawing will reflect the perspective of the artist's unique location relative to the model. Depending on the type of pose, furniture and/or props may be used. These are typically included in the drawing, to the extent that they are visible to the artist; backgrounds, however, are commonly ignored unless the objective is to learn about placement of figures in an environment. Individual models are most common, but multiple models may be used in more advanced classes. A variety of lighting environments may be set up.
While posing, the model is usually requested to remain perfectly still (like a mannequin). Because of the difficulty of doing this for an extended period of time, periodic breaks for the model to rest and/or stretch are usually included in longer sessions and for more difficult poses. In other sessions, the model may be requested to make a series of brief poses in rapid succession, as an exercise for the students to learn to capture the essence of poses quickly.
Since the purpose of figure drawing classes is to learn how to draw humans of all kinds, male and female models of various ages, shapes, and ethnicities may be hired, rather than selecting them for their beauty or "ideal" figures. Some instructors specifically seek to avoid the sort of models preferred by fashion photographers, seeking more "realistic" examples and to avoid any implication of sexual objectification. However, the variety of models hired may be limited by the need for them to hold a pose for extended periods (eliminating restless children and frail older persons), and concerns of modesty and legality when models pose nude (restricting the use of minors).
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When taught at the college level, figure drawing models are often (but not always) totally nude (aside from small jewelry, tampons, or other inconspicuous items), and drawn anatomically complete. Some students may be uncomfortable with nudity in this context, but it is unusual for them to be excused from figure drawing course requirements, as it is considered a necessary part of most illustrative curricula. In circumstances when total nudity is not considered appropriate (such as when the model or the students are minors, the model is uncomfortable posing nude, or the class is less formal than a typical college course), models might wear a form-fitting bathing suit or underwear.
Largely because of the unusual situation of having clothed and naked individuals together an institutional setting, schools typically establish standards of conduct for figure drawing sessions. For example, the instructor might be the only person permitted to speak directly with the model. To avoid possible sexual harassment, some institutions have rules against anyone (including the instructor) touching the model. Some have policies prohibiting current students from working for the school as nude models. Policies vary on how to respond in the uncommon event that a male model has an involuntary erection while posing. Some take a matter-of-fact attitude toward such a situation and expect the students and the model to continue regardless (drawing the figure as he appears), whereas others feel this pushes the limit of propriety into erotic art and/or a sexual situation, and might interrupt the session.