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I’ve gone to a lot of different figure drawing classes over the years and I’ve found many make some common mistakes that make it more difficult to have a successful session.  To that end here are my top 10 tips, suggestions and outright mistakes that go on in a  figure drawing class.

1. The model is lit badly.

I can’t tell you how frustrating it can be to have a beautiful model posed in a perfect way with nary a shadow in sight.  When everything is one value it’s harder to draw.  Shadow reveals form.  It helps us to see round objects as round or planes when they turn.

In my opinion the best way to light the model is to use one key light and a softer secondary light on the opposite side (or right angle) of the key light.  Another great choice is just to have a simple single light source.  This is particularly good for quick poses.

2.  Bad Model

To anyone that thinks being a good figure model only involves being able to stand up in front of people with no clothes on needs to think again.  A good model creates good poses and is able to hold those poses.  Nothing worse than starting a drawing of a model with her hand in the air to finishing it with her hand by her waist.

3.  Lazy Model

Probably one of my personal pet peeves.  A lazy model is one who thinks that my entire figure drawing session doubles as her personal nap time.  I have no problem with models who doze during long poses.  That’s normal.  What’s not is a model who does 2 hours of laying down poses in a 2.5 hour session.  I’m not talking about reclining, but laying down flat on his or her back.  There is another profession out there if you want to get paid for just lying on your back.

4.  Props

Yes, the best figure drawing is nude figure drawing but don’t over look a few props that could enhance the session.  Boas, different types of hats, jewelery, dramatic makeup, swords, axes, or staffs make excellent additions.

5.  Put your model to work

Having your models actually interacting with an object in some fashion turns the body from stationary relaxed muscles to active engaged muscles.  Pulling on a rope, pushing against a chair, etc.  This is also a great one for warm-ups and quick poses.

6.  Ask questions

Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your fellow artists.  For some reason it’s seems many people are reluctant to talk in a figure drawing class.  If you have an instructor this isn’t a problem but in open figure drawing classes hit up anyone whose stuff looks good to get some tips.  Outright asking for a crit or help with your work is OK too.  Most artists would love to help out a fellow artist.

7.  Music is my muse.

Music is great when figure drawing but please be somewhat considerate.  I know that not everyone is going to agree of what good music is but at least take a vote before playing Celine Dion or that new recording of original tribal chants you found at the flea market.

8.  Be respectful.

This usually isn’t a problem but every once in a while you’ll get someone whose mind is still stuck in middle school.  Don’t make sexual comments about the model or say things that could be taken as such by the model.  I’ve been in model sessions where someone says something, some laugh and I feel like we getting ready to reenact The Accused starring Jodie Foster.  Not cool.

9.  Move it, bub.

If you get an angle from a pose that you hate or doesn’t capture the lighting in the best way by all means move.  Don’t waste your time with a bad angle.

10.  Don’t be afraid to tip.

Being a model is tough work and many times it’s hard to pay a good one what they’re worth since it’s mostly students and poor artists hiring them out.  That means tips would probably be greatly appreciated.

I love doing portraits but I’ve never worked very much in charcoal.  The first lesson I’ve learned is that I don’t like working with charcoal on Bristol Board.  I think the paper needs to have more pulp or rag to it.  The only other paper I’ve used with charcoal is newsprint paper in figure drawing classes but even though it’s cheap paper I like it better than Bristol.  I’m going to pick up some actual charcoal paper this week and see what happens.

Regarding that other thing, I have not seen one for a few days and am starting to feel sane again.  Maybe it was all in my head but I’d swear on a complete box of Copics they were real. I’ve been asked to describe them or heck, I’m an artist, draw them but it’s not that easy.  Visually, is just flashing out of the corner of my eye.  It’s more a feeling.  Like you can feel if you outside or inside.  I can feel them watching.  Waiting.  But as long as I’m drawing I’m safe.

I love doing portraits and recently I purchased a download over at conceptart.org of a fantastic artist named Zhang Lu.  He’s got a great digital technique that is similar to doing portraits with white and black charcoal on toned paper.  I’ve come to really enjoy the technique.

Here are a couple I did recently.

In-laws came into town last weekend.  Got a little behind but I hope to catch up this weekend.  I’m not going to try and scan all 1,000 of these thing.  Every week or so I’ll post some of the best pages.  Remember, almost every one is odd numbers are reference and even numbers of from memory based on the referenced image.

Have you heard about the 1,000 face project?  No, well read on then.  I find a lot of inconsistency when I draw faces and figure drawing in general to be honest.  It takes me a long time because I’m constantly either painstakingly coping the model or my reference or just king of guessing at my mark making until it looks right.

I’ve decided to go back to basics.  I’ve started by reading up on my basics from the drawing teachers I respect and envy the most, Frank Reilly, George Bridgeman, and Andrew Loomis.    There is also a health dose of a few people from the web whose technique or drawing I really love.  People such as Lucas Graciano, Hope Reiley, and Eric Gist as well as a few others.

After a couple weeks of reading and study I decided to implement what I’ve learned by drawing 1,000 faces.  In a row.  OK, I’ll stop to sleep and do some other work but the idea is to overload my brain and hands with drawing faces til it becomes second nature or my hand falls off, which ever comes first.  My plan is to do 500 men and 500 women. Each odd numbers drawing will be done from reference and than I’ll do the same drawing from memory to apply what I’ve leaned.

Most of the drawings will be done in about 5 to 15 minutes to start although I won’t rule out any longer drawings but the concepts I want to focus on are more to do with structure, proportion, speed and less on finishing and advanced stages of rendering.

My initial plan is to have a 90 day deadline on this.  That’s 11 faces a day.

As I go I’ll also be posting and passing on some awesome handouts and information I’ve gathered along the way.

Here’s the drawings from day 1.

I ran across a few more drawings from my regular figure drawing sessions.  Click to enlarge.

I hope you like them.