Gesture DrawingGrade 10 Visual Art
GESTURE DAY IThe Basics
What is Gesture Drawing?
A loose drawing that captures movement, basic shapes, and weight of an object or figure.
Why do Gesture Drawing?
1. Warm-up2. Capture the essence3. Active thinking and planning
Techniques and Tips
1. Loose scribbles, no details2. Capture the whole object quickly3. Feel the subject-Action Line4. Start lightly and then build weight5. Use you arms and shoulder6. Look at the big pictures7. Exaggerate the action
Draw what you see, NOT what you think you see
Gesture made Easy: Q.L.A.W.
QuickLooseActionWeight
Exercise #1: MeasurING
Materials:• Meter Sticks• pens and papersInstructions:Pair up and use your handout as a guide. Measure your partner in head units.
Human Proportions: Male
The body height = 8 headsDistance between nipples on chest = 1 headWidth of calf muscles together at lower arc =
1 headBottom of the knees = 2 heads from
ground level
Begin with Action Line
Exercise #2: Mark the Action
Materials:
• Action Line handout• coloured pastels
Instructions:
Use two lines to indicate the action on the figures. Share your results with a partner
Steps to Success
Types of Gestures
Exercise #2: Gesture Sets
Materials:
NewsprintssketchbooksPencils (HB, 6B)ConteMarkersCharcoalsOil pastels or crayons
Warm-Up Exercise
Step 1: Warm up your hands, arms and shoulders.Step 2: Scribble on your paper until you feel looseStep 3: Draw the object shown at the front
Gesture Sets: InstructionsWork in pairs. Each person will be the drawer and poser. After a few poses, switch roles. Use various media in your work where appropriate. Complete the following gesture drawings in class following the lesson.
1. Pencil gesture (your choice of HB or 6B)-15 sec (X2)
2. Markers (any colour)—30 sec (X2)
3. Black or Brown conte (with tones and values)-1 min (X2)
4. Charcoal (with shading using your fingers)-1.5 min (X1)
5. Coloured pastels or crayons (expression and mood)-2 min (X1)
Practice, Practice, PracticePart I: Refine a Gesture Drawing
• Choose one gesture from class on a newsprint and refine drawing by applying human proportions and add some details. You can add anatomy using sources.
Part II: Sketchbook• Practice 3-5 more gesture drawings of objects
of your interests or human actions. You may choose any media where appropriate. These sketches should fill up one page each.
GESTURE DAY IIExtensions
Gesture Sets
Materials:
NewsprintssketchbooksPencils (HB, 6B)ConteMarkersCharcoalsOil pastels or crayons