INFORMATION SHEET

Learning Outcome 5 – ‌Learn how to draw movement. 

Learning Objectives:

After reading this information sheet, you are expected to:

a. You will discover some useful tips and tricks in drawing.

b. Learn how your character designs the feeling of movement and
liveliness.
c. Learn how to express ideas through character design.
d. Learn how to design more appealing and expressive characters.

Content:

Draw character design through movements.

Key Concept: Expressing ideas through hand drawing

Materials: Laptop, Graphic software, Wacom pen, Sketch pad, Pencil and
Eraser.

Reference: Creativeblog.com

Introduction:

As an artist, many of us are drawn to expressing ideas through character

design. I’m constantly seeking to improve, and over the years I’ve picked up
some helpful tricks in designing more appealing and expressive characters.
It’s important to design not only how your figures look, but also how they
tell a story with their gestures and movements.

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Lesson:

What is a cartoon without any kind of action? What is a cartoon, that

doesn't tell us a story? You may have seen artistic studies of the human
body, drawn from a live model for reference. They work very well for
understanding how anatomy and muscles react when we suggest a move.
But the sentiment behind this movement is not clear! It's just a
reproduction of real life and nothing more. The way to express movement
and action in a cartoon style drawing is quite different from real life.
Therefore, beyond the necessary knowledge to build your character's body,
mastering the techniques needed to add life to these forms is essential

This is especially crucial in the animation industry because the characters

you’ll be conceptualizing are intended to perform as though they were an
actor in a film or TV show. Here are some tips on how to draw a more
engaging character.

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01. Draw a line of action

A straight or curved line forms the foundation of a movement drawing

Envisioning a single line overlaying your drawing can be a simple way of
creating a feeling of movement. This line of action can either be straight or
curved; both can give a different feeling of movement. While a straight line
is usually very fast and direct, a curved line can create a more graceful
mood. However, it’s best to avoid a perfectly straight vertical line of action,
which may make a drawing feel static.

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02. Show what the character is thinking

The character's thoughts will help to suggest their actions

Just as we imagine our favourite TV and film characters to be real, we
should try to imagine the characters we create have minds of their own. If a
character in a drawing is moving or acting, they should have a reason for
doing so. 

Whether it be a broad action such as sprinting or a subtle mannerism, such

as twirling a strand of hair, the character being presented would most
likely have a conscious or unconscious reason for doing so. Keeping this in
mind will help you make your character feel more interesting and relatable.

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03. Contrast straights and curves

A balance of straight and curved lines brings a drawing to life

The contrast between straight lines and curved lines is an essential design
element. A sketch made up of straight lines would feel too tense, while a
drawing using mostly curved lines would lack structure. 

Curves are generally used to suggest the more fleshy part of the figure,
whereas straights are more commonly used to imitate stable and solid
segments. For example, compare the use of a straight line for a character’s
back and the soft curve of their stomach.

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04. Draw from life

Get out and about for some invaluable drawing experience

Drawing from life is an extremely helpful observational tool, whether it’s in
a classroom or at your local café. Sketching and observing people around
you can be beneficial in learning how to draw the human figure and the
many emotions it can exhibit. 

Alternatively, there is life drawing classes. These tend to consist of a

mixture of lengthy and short poses – poses set over a longer period of time
enable you to capture details and study human anatomy, while quick poses
are better suited to the gesture drawing technique (see below).

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05. Use gestures

An immediate gesture can be recorded in a short space of time

Gesture drawing is a quick way to capture the overall message of a figure.
These observational drawings are often done in very short segments – in a
life-drawing class, the model may only pose for 30 seconds, forcing the
artist to get their first impressions down on paper. 

In this process of making deliberate and quick lines, try not to worry about
how your art looks, or capturing details. You want to focus on the action or
feeling of the pose.

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06. Employ shape language

Different shapes can communicate a unique character

The use of different shapes is a major tool in character design. As well as
helping to convey personality, shapes can also suggest movements or
emotions. 

A character made up of squares may feel more slow and stable, whereas
one made up of triangles may give off a more excitable feeling. Circles or
curves are often used for more likable characters, and can make them feel
friendly and bouncy.

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07. Tilt and twist

A twisted posture instantly creates an interesting pose

A simple way to create a more dynamic pose is to practise using tilts and
twists. To help avoid a static pose try using different angles. For instance,
the angle of the character’s shoulders could contrast with the angle of their
hips. Instead of drawing with angles that are parallel, contrasting angles
give the drawing a feeling of flow and rhythm. 

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08. Apply squash and stretch

Squash and stretch are fundamental principles every animator needs to

know
As one of the 12 principles of animation, 'squash and stretch' is a useful
technique in giving your drawing more life and energy. In animation a
squash is often used as anticipation for a broader action: the stretch. 
The same can be used in a static drawing: A stretched pose acts as a
moment when the character is creating their broadest action, while a
squash in a drawing suggests tension.

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09. Draw thumbnail sketches

Thumbnail sketches can be done quickly, like gesture drawings

A small thumbnail sketch (perhaps taking the form of a gesture drawing)
can be useful for planning out a character’s pose, and enable you to
consider different options for conveying an action.

Once I come up with a pose I’m happy with, I’ll refine the sketch on a new
layer placed on top of the thumbnail. This approach enables me to create a

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cleaner drawing, while hopefully still reflecting that initial feeling of
movement.

10. Consider silhouettes

Block out details to see why a pose works (or doesn't)

Imagining that your drawing is filled in with black so you can only see the
silhouette is a great way to ensure it delivers a clear read. Thinking in
terms of silhouettes will also help you to become aware of what’s most
important to the pose. 

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Perhaps extending limbs away from the body will give a clearer read than
crowding them together? Is your character presenting something of
interest? If so, should it be accentuated in the silhouette?

Objectives in movement drawing:

The primary objectives of movement drawing are to facilitate the study of

the human figure in motion.

A. Better understand the exertions of muscles, the effects of

twisting on the body, and the natural range of motion in the
joints.
B.  Allows an artist to draw strenuous or spontaneous poses that
cannot be held by the model long enough for an elaborate
study, and reinforces the importance of movement, action, and
direction, which can be overlooked during a long drawing.
C.  Artist who undertakes movement drawing also receives the
benefits of self-training their drawing ability. This kind of very
rapid drawing of the figure builds (through the act of frequent
repetition) an instinctive understanding of human proportions
which may aid the artist when executing more extended works.

Evaluation:

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1. How do you express movement in art?

 Answer:

The first type of movement found in artworks is the obvious,

physical movement. This is the feeling of action found in a work of art.
This can be conveyed in a number of ways. The most direct way to show
movement is to draw or paint lines coming from the object that is moving.

2. What is movement in drawing?

Answer:

Movement is an important part of creating captivating artwork. ... A bit

of movement breathes life into a piece of artwork, and keeps the viewer's
eyes engaged in the world you've created, regardless of whether
you're drawing with graphite or working in pen and ink 

Assignment:

Draw a line of action in your own prepared idea on a piece of paper.

SELF-CHECK
Learning Outcome – Explain the importance of movement drawing

1. Movement drawing is related to action drawing, but it goes further. I see

the idea of movement as the essential character of a figure or object, a kind-
of eastern philosophy viewpoint. That is, everything has a movement.

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2. When you strive to capture the essence of an object or person, your art
will start to be on a deeper level than mere appearances.

3. When we start thinking about this concept when we are drawing or

painting, we look beyond appearances to strive for the essence of the
objects we are looking at is unique.

ANSWER KEY

1. As Nicolaides wrote, "Everything has a movement - even a pencil." On the

physical level, the pencil's movement is a "shooting" straight line, very
quick. That physical movement has an intangible counterpart - its essence -
its movement identity, personality, or essence.

2. The idea of a ribbon tied into a bow. When you do a drawing of what the
bow looks like, you will get just that - its appearance. But when you do a
movement drawing of the bow, you will get what the bow is DOING, its
action. Your line will move, stop and go very quickly, around, up and down,
getting the FEEL of the figure in real or perceived movement.

3. In any event, Movement drawings is truly unique - there is no one, right

way for them to look. If you search for the physical movement, the action
line, or axis; if you search also for the internal, spiritual meaning or identity
of things, your work will have more depth, and express your view of the
world. And hopefully others will see this in your work, and receive
something of what you were trying to do. And that's one of the big
purposes of art.

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 Take note that:

Why is movement drawing important?

The primary purpose of movement drawing is to facilitate the study of the

human figure in motion. This exploration of action is helpful for the artist to
better understand the exertions of muscles, the effects of twisting on the
body, and the natural range of motion in the joints.

Movement Drawing Tips

1. Try to capture the essence of the pose before you try to render
form. ...
2. Use simple and meaningful lines. ...
3. Working quickly does not mean working recklessly. ...
4. Don't just copy. ...
5. Embrace the curves. ...
6. Try to capture what you like most about the pose.

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