Evening Drawing
(VV052)
Week 2: Half-body
Helena Lukášová, Hana Pokojná
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M)
1
Upper body
• Lat week, we talked about composition, and how
if you can’t fit the whole figure inside of the
paper, you shouldn’t chop off the limbs just to fit
them in.
• This week, we will focus on the torso and head
or the ‘main body’ of the figure, and
intentionally draw it big and only suggest the
remaining limbs.
• The sign of a good artist is to be able to draw the
main body from all sides, accurately
• Torso, back, pelvis, and head can show a lot even
without the limbs
• This type of visualization is most prominent in
fashion design
Check out:
https://www.martelnyc.com/figure-drawing/the-upper-
body.html
Last
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M) 2
Don’t Forget the
Measurements
• Also think back to anatomy and the angles at which the shoulders and the
pelvis interact at.
Image Source: Kniha Velká kniha anatomie pro výtvarníky
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M) 3
Dynamics
You can show dynamic movements with just the body, even without depicting the appendages.
Image source: https://www.martelnyc.com/
figure-drawing/the-upper-body.html
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M)
4
Shading helps a lot with
showing the form of the body.
Even though they are not as
‘obvious’ as landmarks on the
front of the body, they are
there. Think lower back,
scapula, back of the shoulders,
gluteus maximus…
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M)
5
• Think back to the line of action
• Main focus is the spine (main body)
and how the other body parts attach
to it
Source: Velká kniha anatomie pro výtvarníky by Barber and Barrington
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M)
6
• ….. Or the lack of movement, but it has character without
even showing the face!
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M)
7
Examples from old masters:
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M)
8
Examples of life-drawing with a focus on the upper part of
the body by Michelangelo (left and right) and Rubens
(middle). Photos taken at the Michelangelo exhibition in
Albertina Modern, Vienna.
Student example from previous years:
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M)
9