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tigrin — Dynamic Figure Drawing

Published: 2005-11-08 06:47:50 +0000 UTC; Views: 79213; Favourites: 1730; Downloads: 14846
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Description It's done! I just spent pretty much all day on this. in pain. Obviously I spent a lot more time on the content than the drawings, but eh... you get the idea, right? This is going to be part of a series of at least two other tutorials I'd like to do... one on expressions, one on color environment (yeah, I'll explain this in the tutorial).

Summary: This tutorial introduces basic concepts regarding line, mass, and form and their application in order to create dynamic movement in a figure. This tutorial includes in-depth analysises (is that a word?) of how line affects the flow of weight and force in a pose, how line creates eye path, how form and weight affect movement, and how dynamic poses express emotion.

I use mostly quadrapeds for this (since I'm most familiar with the furrecat form), but I've also included information for the human figure.

This is by no means a comprehensive tutorial. Just is just what I've learned on my own. If you would like more information about any of the topics in this tutorial-

Further Readings:

Dynamic Figure Drawing by Burne Hogarth
I think everybody knows this guy. Pretty basic but accurate illustrations of generic human anatomy, in particular form and mass.

Creative Illustration by Andrew Loomis
I don't think I can recommend this guy enough. His explanations are extremely helpful, thorough, and concise. This book in particular has many, many pages on how to use line to create dynamic and interesting compositions - I didn't cover it in my tutorial just because I think this guy does it perfectly. If you can find a copy of this, it's REALLY worth a look.

"Bringing Drawings to Life" by *GoblinQueeen
This tutorial is pretty similar to mine, but is based specifically on the 12 principles of animation. I also highly recommend giving this a look, she explains and applies the principles well and professionally.

The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams
This book mainly addresses animation, but many of the basic principles of this book can still be applied to illustration. It also has several sections on weight, how weight shifts, and how movement arcs. Pretty much the whole book is illustration, there's so many diagrams and drawings in this. Definitely take a look.

Punchstock
A great royalty-free stock photo resource. I use this a lot when I need references for studying difficult poses.


Think that's about it. Hope you guys get some use out of this.
Related content
Comments: 153

Kala-Misfit [2005-11-09 21:46:41 +0000 UTC]

Oh lord yes!!

Man, I had no idea there were actually websites full of pose pictures and such. God, what a lifesaver. I was becoming sad because I was sure I'd either have to shell out a bunch of moneys on anatomy books or make my family members pose for me. o__< Thanks!

Those tips are extremely helpful. I've always kind of been bad with anything other than headshots. Rest assured I shall use this. Thanks so much! I think I shall redraw your contest pic now. And fave this... oh yes.... :3

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lauzon [2005-11-09 06:58:47 +0000 UTC]

wow! this is fantastic! All of it is such usefull information that is deffinately going to help A LOT! Thank you very much.

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plastikwaren In reply to ??? [2005-11-09 06:55:22 +0000 UTC]

good god

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Arcias In reply to ??? [2005-11-09 06:39:54 +0000 UTC]

This seems incredibly helpful. It goes over things that have never even entered my mind. Granted, I'm still working on my proportions and the like, but once I get that down....



Very helpful, I'm sure I will be referring to it in the future.

-Arci

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ZailDark [2005-11-09 06:19:49 +0000 UTC]

you really should finish the other tutorials, they're quite helpful and good for you to write them out like this

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MasumiXMRCX [2005-11-09 06:17:37 +0000 UTC]

While I wont favorite this, I must say that it was a pleasurable and instructive read. I felt my ability to appraoch observing a peice as well as producing a peice has improuved. You used simple and comprehendable concepts to present some prety complex ideas. Your writing was smooth and yet dynamic enough to convey your message to even a simple mind such as myself.

I've read numerous book on how to draw, how to paint, how to weight etc etc etc, and continue to do so; however, this is a truly impressive peice of writing, I'm sure that many of your commentless favorite are those people who put this peice aside so as to have it for quick access and reference when they come to draw again.

anwyay for you and all four from me

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dreamstealer [2005-11-09 04:57:27 +0000 UTC]

Well that is one nice tutorial. Those silhouettes certainly do get the point across very well, and you make good points about facial expressions and body positions both being dynamic. Excellent work, I'm sure you'll help a lot of people with this!!

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ChaoticWolfen In reply to ??? [2005-11-09 04:49:59 +0000 UTC]

One of my friends is so awful at dynamics! I'll have to send her this. Well done!

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pley In reply to ??? [2005-11-09 04:43:01 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful job, this is a very important concept for people to learn, and this is the first time I've even seen it mentioned here on DA. Thank you very much!

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cannotbreakthoseh2go In reply to ??? [2005-11-09 04:42:32 +0000 UTC]

Too many comments. Do you go through all of them?

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tigrin In reply to cannotbreakthoseh2go [2005-11-09 04:47:30 +0000 UTC]

Of course! I love reading these.

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thewhopunk In reply to ??? [2005-11-09 04:22:40 +0000 UTC]

awesome

tis cool

so hows life

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chibiscribbles In reply to ??? [2005-11-09 04:19:10 +0000 UTC]

Omg, Tiggy. <3 You're awesome.

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Kytara In reply to ??? [2005-11-09 04:12:59 +0000 UTC]

WOW...this is a frikking good tutorial. <3 ^_^_^_^_^_^__^_^

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IceyArticuno In reply to ??? [2005-11-09 04:09:35 +0000 UTC]

Truely this will be helpful when coming up with poses, Thanks!

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arumunus [2005-11-09 04:04:01 +0000 UTC]

VERY nice tutorial. This actually helps quite a bit!

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zc456 [2005-11-09 03:49:37 +0000 UTC]

Oh yah, this realy helps alot!

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hartart [2005-11-09 03:47:00 +0000 UTC]

wow that is amazing. thank u very much this was so helpfull.

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suzanami [2005-11-09 03:38:01 +0000 UTC]

this is amazing. i've been trying some of these techniques and failing, but you make it look so easy. inspires me to try harder. my poses are usually pretty boring, especially as of late. i need to kick it up a bit. this is super-helpful. definate fave AND bookmark.
thanks so much!!

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zaphrynn [2005-11-09 03:21:05 +0000 UTC]

This is awesome. It brought into light things I've never thought about or realized before.

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NRWick [2005-11-09 03:15:33 +0000 UTC]

lol, have you studied with Glenn Villpu or studied under someone who studied with Glenn?

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tigrin In reply to NRWick [2005-11-09 04:05:40 +0000 UTC]

I've heard of him but never read one of his books or anything...

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NRWick In reply to tigrin [2005-11-09 04:24:41 +0000 UTC]

you can the quick and dirty to his entire life's works and teachings. ^_^ I found it fun and wondered if you studied him. ^_^ Very cool for spreading the word on flow!

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Perelandra [2005-11-09 03:10:09 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for this!!! -kisses the ground you walk on-
~Pere

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Chixie [2005-11-09 02:47:05 +0000 UTC]

wow,
thanks,
I could use this for furture drawings...

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OmgItsEmily In reply to ??? [2005-11-09 02:35:25 +0000 UTC]

How helpful!

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ox-of-ice In reply to ??? [2005-11-09 01:54:40 +0000 UTC]

Comments: 18
Favourites: 81

Omfg WAY TO COMMENT GUYS!

Anyway. Excellent tutorial! It'll come in handy for a lot of folks, including me. I love the silhouette-to-describe idea, it really emphasizes what you're trying to show us.

And thank you for those wonderful links! I have a question for ya: do you know of any other good stock photo sites? I've only got Corbis and Punchstock, and I'm looking for more... so.

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daisy7 In reply to ox-of-ice [2005-11-09 03:23:27 +0000 UTC]

Gettyimages.com is another..although its pretty much just corbis with maybe a few extra pictures O_o

never heard of Punchstock so thats a new one for me^^

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ox-of-ice In reply to daisy7 [2005-11-09 03:35:55 +0000 UTC]

Never heard of gettyimages! Thanks Daisy .

Do you know shutterstock.com? They're pretty good except for a big ugly watermark smack in the middle of pics : D.

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daisy7 In reply to ox-of-ice [2005-11-09 03:55:39 +0000 UTC]

I dont mind big ugly watermarks as long as I can still see the image its not like I'm chopping these pictures up and using them in a photomanipulation..I just use them as references.

and I apologize to Tigrin >< I'm commenting to others comments and not commenting on her tutorial, I was gonna leave something nice and worth while but had a brain fart...it really is a wonderfull tutorial.

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ox-of-ice In reply to daisy7 [2005-11-09 14:12:14 +0000 UTC]

Theirs is kinda... almost opaque! But s'better than no pics at all, of course .

Sorry for spamming up your comments Tigrin huu ;; *ducks&runsaway*.

[hahahahah brain fart. I AM SO AMUSED!]

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tigrin In reply to ox-of-ice [2005-11-09 02:41:51 +0000 UTC]

Unfortunately those are the only two I know of. I don't even remember how I found Punchstock but it's pretty much all I use.

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ox-of-ice In reply to tigrin [2005-11-09 02:46:08 +0000 UTC]

Durn it :B.

Thanks anyway, my lady .

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DazeWolf [2005-11-09 00:41:33 +0000 UTC]

Wow! Thank you so much! And thenks for the other references too! These have really taught me a lot. ^^ You're great at making tutorials!

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kasplatza [2005-11-08 23:32:23 +0000 UTC]

a very nice tutorial, well done

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Synthetic-Moth [2005-11-08 22:15:46 +0000 UTC]

What a wonderful resource

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talawolf [2005-11-08 22:08:57 +0000 UTC]

I would have to say that if anyone were to make a tutorial on dynamic poses, it would have to be you, Tigs. You're a master at it. Shame this doesn't have more comments. The time and work you spent putting this tutorial together was well worth it and hopefully will not be overlooked. I'm favoriting this for future reference. Those little stick furrecats are adorable

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tigrin In reply to talawolf [2005-11-09 02:42:41 +0000 UTC]

You can tell a lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into those stick furrecats.

Thanks

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DuctTapeResidue [2005-11-08 21:53:45 +0000 UTC]

That is awesome! I and anyone who reads this can appreciate such knowledge! Thank you! It's helped me better understand my own art! XD

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Raven-Li In reply to ??? [2005-11-08 21:35:10 +0000 UTC]

Great! I've been waiting for something like this. And I'm glad you submitted it as a jpeg...whenever I find a piece of art that I think might help me with my technique, I save it to my computer to look at later, maybe when I'm having trouble. And I can never save PNGs...

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TyrackWolfII [2005-11-08 20:53:51 +0000 UTC]

I know how to dynamically draw, but it's never wrong to learn a few more things about it. Awsome job!

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nazmeischter [2005-11-08 18:00:39 +0000 UTC]

great tutorial, you get across what your trying to explain very well

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FlannMoriath [2005-11-08 13:11:48 +0000 UTC]

Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this, it should help a lot. The parts I found most helpful were where you said to know where your subject has come from and were they're going, and that the facial expression isn't enough - the whole body should have expression. This is very helpful, great job!! ^^

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z3r0t0lerance [2005-11-08 12:13:21 +0000 UTC]

awesome tutorial. i've learned a lot from this

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kittah [2005-11-08 10:30:55 +0000 UTC]

brilliant!!

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AdmYrrek [2005-11-08 09:41:43 +0000 UTC]

O... M...G...

I love you, I absolutely love you... I shall be forever indebted to you for alerting me to Punchstock... I was just despairing how Google>Image never turns up anything that is worth while as a drawing model, but this...

[dies of spastic artistic epoleptic fits of joy]

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tigrin In reply to AdmYrrek [2005-11-08 20:09:24 +0000 UTC]

Punchstock is my love. T_T

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pinaypenciler [2005-11-08 09:41:01 +0000 UTC]

wow. thats quite handy!

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AdmYrrek [2005-11-08 09:28:33 +0000 UTC]

hey, that's cool... always good to be reminded of these fundamentals of art that so often get forgotten.

Thanks

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FoxyStarZ [2005-11-08 09:26:46 +0000 UTC]

wow..neat tutorial! nice work

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