Drawing Human Figures In Pencil

By Helen Baker


While there are a number of different mediums which can be used for drawing, charcoal, ink and graphite are often the most popular. When drawing human figures in pencil, many artists prefer to use different shades and tones of graphite. Generally, by changing different soft and hard tones of graphite, an artist can enhance and highlight shapes and curves in the human form.

When it comes to drawing and sketching, terms used can vary widely. Most often when drawing from a live art model, the correct term is life drawing. Whereas, those drawing from figurines, photographs, skeletons and other items are considered to be figure drawing. In the latter, the form can include different colors, tones, shapes, sizes and postures all created with different mediums.

As life drawing has become quite popular, there are a now a number of courses offered at colleges and universities. For those not interested in attending college, or older artists, there are also a number of local, regional, national and international museums which offer classes and workshops. Whereas, there are also classes at these schools and museums which focus on figure drawing from objects, photographs, skeletons and other materials.

Different artists take different approaches when drawing the human form. For example, some may draw from photographs while others may use skeletal models. Whereas, some artist may draw solely from inspiration and memory. While this is case, most denounce drawing from photographs due to past comes which have often fallen flat in comparison to other mediums.

Light and shadow are an important aspect of this type drawing. For, whether using crayon, pencil, ink or other medium, artists love to create shadows and reflections by using light and dark tones. As such, using light and shadow is a technique that has become popular with artists and photographers.

When it comes to pencil, most artists prefer to use different orientations of graphite. Depending on the intensity and shadowing required, there are a number of different formulations of light and dark tones available. One nice difference between graphite and charcoal or ink is that pencil can be erased and manipulated to make changes. Whereas, if an artist makes a mistake using crayon, charcoal or ink, the piece must often be recreated from the beginning.

Many well known artists have been known to draw in pencil then sketch over the pencil drawing with ink. One of the most popular and well known artist to do so was Pablo Picasso. In fact, when it comes to cubism, it is fairly easy to see both pen and pencil when viewing this work in a museum whether by Picasso or other artists in the genre. Artists do need to remember that once the pencil has been traced with ink, recreating the piece is the only option for editing and revision.

Artists have been taking note and drawing the human form since the earliest of times. Whether cave dwellers, or artists using crayon, charcoal, pen, graphite or ink, most have fun doing so. Although, while cave dwellers often painted a sequence of pictures which provided stories of the past, many artists working today have an eye on the future. Whether that future be having a piece in an art show, gallery, museum or selling original artwork at festivals and other venues.




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