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Marker on Newsprint

31 comments
I know that several of you have asked that I post some of my figure drawings. Here's a different approach than you are probably NOT used to seeing. I've tossed aside the anatomy, and am playing around with shape and design.

I think figure drawing is vital to any good designer. However, I think I need to preface that with this caveat. If you learn to draw what you see, you will be no different than a camera -- I think it is more important to design what you see.

I've studied the anatomy quite extensively, but knowing where the muscles are doesn't make a good drawing. Capturing character, personality and the essence of life is more important than making sure the sternocleidomastoideus has two insertions at the clavical (unless you are drawing medical diagrams).

I've seen some artists come to figure drawing classes with expensive paper, and drawing equipment -- they practically sign their drawings before the start. But, I think it is much move valuable for us to use these classes to learn, practice and experiment. I try to draw on the worst crap, so that I don't fool myself into believing I have to do a good job in order to not waste the materials.

Figure drawing classes should be where we allow ourselves to take chances.

31 comments :

GWhitehall said...

I think youre absolutely right on that one. Designing shapes within the figure is something im fascinated by. Beautiful exploration, by the way!

Armand Serrano said...

Beautiful piece, Moe. Designing the shapes is what it's all about whether doing a realistic figure drawing or stylized since our eyes can fool us. Very much inspired. Thank for posting my friend.

Anonymous said...

Señor you are in lo correct. I agree 200%. Always inspired by your drawings.
Thanks for posting them.
D

Cookedart said...

I couldn't agree more with this sentiment!

Wonderful drawing too!

Bobby Pontillas said...

Amen Brother.

Conversely, I think its apparent even in really stylized drawings, when someone knows their anatomy.

TJ Phan said...

Hi Marcelo,

I absolutely agree with you and Bobby. And I think I speak for a lot of us out here when I say your drawings are truly incredible. Thanks for sharing them with us all of these years!

Anonymous said...

you've nailed it! thanks for sharing this lovely sketch and thoughts!

Mark McDonnell said...

Great take. Great personality . . . housed in a very quick and nicely designed shape(s).

MAC

C.Deboda said...

Well said and I agree wholeheartedly.

andrew said...

great life drawing/design..good points made also

Unknown said...

brilliantly said. Wonderful life drawing Marcelo!

Josh said...

hey Marcelo nice blog. you have some nice figure drawings too, and thanks for all the great advice you gave me a few weeks ago in that Thai restaurant it was awesome.

victoriaying said...

Lovely. I admire your work a lot.

EL GRANDE said...

Wow! Great motion and attitude as always. I really like to you see you switch things up all the time with your drawings. One day it's graphite on newsprint and next it's something different. But the drawings are always interesting.

Thanks for sharing,
Joe y Elio

Alessandra Sorrentino said...

Really beautiful drawing and precious words.
Thanks for this post Marcelo, take care.
Alessandra

ROBERT BANDEL said...

Nicely said- Simple and direct- Wish I had seen this in college

Shuku said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Marcelo - shapes! Something I'm still learning, for sure. Reminds me so much of Marcos!

--Shuku

Jamal O said...

Strong pose,

Great construction, its cool to see your process. How and where you choose certain lines over others.

I need to get back in the game.

Bill Ferguson said...

Fantastic Figure! I wish you would post your amazing Imagineer work! Also I hope you don't mind that I linked your blog to my own?

Billy George said...

Awesome shapes Marcelo. Im always amazed by your ability to find fun, interesting design ideas-no matter what your subject matter is.

David Colman said...

Well said Mo, I would like to follow that up with something else, you should study and learn the anatomy just so you can forget it...then you will learn to breathe. Knowledge shows in a good design; design should not be a crutch

Marcelo Vignali said...

Thanks everyone for all your wonderful comments. I really appreciate them.

Armand, you are right, there's no difference between good design in something stylized or realistic. Ultimately, even the realistic is just an illusion.

Bobby, I remember looking at John Kricfalusi, and thinking the same thing. I knew he knew his anatomy, even though his drawing was all over the place.

El Grande, yeah, I try to fool myself into thinking I'm doing something for the first time. It helps me stay focused.

Robert! I wish I had seen this in college too! It would have made things easier...that's for sure. I was totally lost.

Bill, by all means, you are welcome to link to my site. And, that goes for anyone as well. The Imagineering work was all done before digital, and so I have very little work saved from that period.

Thanks Billy. (Caution: this is NOT commercial advice). A friend of mine made a great point about another guy who had done a beautiful painting of a naked woman. This guy had painted the breasts to perfection, and the rest of the painting was incomplete. My friend turned to me and said, "I guess he finished the painting." I knew what he meant, and have carried that with me ever since. Why work on something you aren't inspired to work on? The trick is, learn to get inspired.

Coh, don't tell me you've already forgotten your anatomy! Remember, it's the tibula and fibulator that are connected to the Femore.

Kyle Marshall said...

This is a gorgeous gesture! Love the lines

Anonymous said...

Your work and words are beyond inspiring and excellent. It really shows you do your study and love what you do. Regarding figure drawing, how were you when you first started and how long did it take you to start showing progress? I've recently begun myself and it is more painful than I thought:(

Johnny
P.S - Do you recommend anything particular to enhance figure drawing skills (eg. books/videos vs life drawing classes)

Marcos Gp said...

Those are true words of wisdom, viva el newsprint!

stephen Silver said...

Well said, I could'nt agree more

Lee-Roy said...

I like your philosophy.

Sketchbox said...

Dude. "Clavicle." You're welcome.
Finally, I give some advice to Marcelo...
;)

Marcelo Vignali said...

Anonymous, there's no substitute for rolling up your sleeves and getting it done. I can't say I ever found a drawing book that had it all for me. Each of us is different, so the information you are looking for is probably disseminated amongst several books. But only you know which books work best for you. Buy 'em and study them. (Elliot Goldfinger has a good information book on anatomy, but not drawing.)

Marcos, yeah...newsprint! I love the stuff.

Bill, yer right! (Blush) Just think, with all the artists that left a comment, you're the only one that caught my mistake. I will leave it in error as a testament to my shame and humility, and as a monument to your prowess. Thanks bud. Heheh, you can tell I was probably doodling in English class when I should have been spelling.

Omar "OX" Rodriguez said...

amazing

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