Figure Drawing For Dummies

Your hands–on guide to drawing the human figure and bringing itto life

Want to draw the human body? This step–by–step guide gives youclear instructions and examples coupled with expert tips that showyou how to draw the body in a variety of poses. Whether you′re aprofessional illustrator, an art student, or a hobbyist, you′llfind the techniques you need to capture the human form.

Get a grip on the basics drawing exercises show you howto work with lines, curves, shapes, light, shadows, andblending

Off to a head start draw the components of the head,facial features, muscle structure, and hairstyles

Build the body examine bone structure and shape, createstick figures, depict muscles, and draw the body in motion

Strike dynamic and casual poses from running, jumping,and climbing to sitting, stretching, and more

Accessorize your figures draw textures, patterns, andfolds, and add basic clothing and shoes

Open the book and find:

The drawing supplies you need

How to set up your studio

The differences between drawing adults and children

Step–by–step illustrations and examples

Tips for forming facial expressions

Advanced drawing techniques, including shading

How to work with composition and perspective

Advice on fixing mistakes

Places to present and archive your work

Part I: Figure Drawing 101.

Chapter 1: Welcome to the Joys of Figure Drawing.

Chapter 2: Gathering the Goods for Figure Drawing.

Chapter 3: Starting with Figure–Drawing Basics.

Part II: Off to a Head Start.

Chapter 4: Getting Inside the Head.

Chapter 5: Adding Facial Features.

Chapter 6: Going to the Top with Hair.

Chapter 7: Presenting Emotions in Facial Features.

Part III: Building the Body.

Chapter 8: Examining Figure Proportions and Bone Structure.

Chapter 9: Starting Simple with Stick Figures andMannequins.

Chapter 10: Pumping Up Those Muscles.

Chapter 11: Drawing Figures in Motion.

Part IV: Sharpening Your Figure–Drawing Skills.

Chapter 12: Accessorizing Your Figures.

Chapter 13: Taking Your Work to the Next Level with AdvancedDrawing Techniques.

Chapter 14: Working with Composition and Perspective.

Part V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 15: Ten Places to Study and Draw the Figure.

Chapter 16: Ten Ways to Organize, Store, and Present YourWork.

Index.

Kensuke Okabayashi is an award–winning professional artist. His work can be seen in everything from comic books to graphic novels to advertising storyboards. Okabayashi has taught illustration courses at Mercer College of New Jersey.