Red Answers - Blog Posts

Your art gives me LIFEEE and uhmuehhh any tips on fluid and more dynamic poses when drawing :3?

Wow! Thank you so much!! Oh boy, this is gonna be a shortened answer of a very long explanation that I'm not equipped to answer (but I will try!)

Besides the general: get better at anatomy, I like to consider 5 elements when I draw. One thing is practicing on paper, drawing with the wrist, always trying to look for an interesting line. Whenever I record a speed paint, the poses are constantly changing. 1. Organic flow: I think that symmetry can be effective for a piece, but the human body is organic. Our anatomy isn't symmetrical, veins, leaves, flowers all have this flow that doesn't feel still. I know this is a very vague explanation. I'd suggest figure drawing resources like Proko and Michael Hampton for fundamentals. Besides anatomy, I like to add this flourish in elements on hair, clothes, etc:

2. Size hierarchy: This one is very unhelpful. There's this design element about hierarchy that applies to anatomy and dynamic poses in terms of shape language and uh perspectives. I call it the cake tier method. I find the first row of shapes more interesting than the second. I'm so sorry if this makes no sense.

3. S and C curves: You can refer to a bunch of anatomy resources for this. I also try and consider the character and their energy. Where is it coming from? Their head, their chest, what are they doing in the scene and I try and visualize movement over anatomical accuracy at times.

4. Point of interest:

I'm gonna use this drawing as another example. I like to think of triangles or shapes that lead the viewer that isn't horizontal all the way. Somethings happening even if they're sitting or standing, a hand or head is tilted, something! I think this Jared picture could have been stronger with more extreme foreshortening.

5. Observation: The very VERY boring one. Just...observing people. Looking at references or posing for them. I personally think that my character poses are limited and too pose-y, less life like than I want it to be. The best way to break free from rules, anatomy accuracy and its confines is to draw characters interacting. Comics are great for that, but it takes an exceedingly huge amount of time and brain power if you're not used to it (I'm extremely rusty). You also don't have to observe from life, but observe from artists you enjoy. What about their drawing feels dynamic? This is probably not helpful. I'm sorry! I wish I had a billion hours to answer more concisely. It's been a long time since I gave any art advice.