Gesture Drawing
Grade 10 Visual Art
GESTURE DAY I
The 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-up
2. Capture the essence
3. Active thinking and planning
Techniques and Tips
Draw what you see, NOT what you think you see
1. Loose scribbles, no details
2. Capture the whole object quickly
3. Feel the subject-Action Line
4. Start lightly and then build weight
5. Use you arms and shoulder
6. Look at the big pictures
7. Exaggerate the action
Gesture made Easy: Q.L.A.W.
Quick
Loose
Action
Weight
Exercise #1: MeasurING
Materials:
• Meter Sticks
• pens and papers
Instructions:
Pair up and use your handout as a guide.
Measure your partner in head units.
Human Proportions: Male
The body height = 8 heads
Distance between nipples on chest = 1 head
Width of calf muscles together at lower arc = 1
head
Bottom 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:
Newsprints
sketchbooks
Pencils (HB, 6B)
Conte
Markers
Charcoals
Oil pastels or crayons
Warm-Up Exercise
Step 1: Warm up your
hands, arms and
shoulders.
Step 2: Scribble on your
paper until you feel
loose
Step 3: Draw the object
shown at the front
Gesture Sets: Instructions
Work 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, Practice
Part 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 II
Extensions
Gesture Sets
Materials:
Newsprints
sketchbooks
Pencils (HB, 6B)
Conte
Markers
Charcoals
Oil pastels or crayons