FIGURE DRAWING WITH STYLE DISTORTION // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES

PENCILKINGS

VIDEO ONE - INTRODUCTION TO STYLE DISTORTIONFinding your style is all about your knowledge, experience and influences coming together to

express what YOU want to convey in each drawing.

In the case of figure drawing, once you have a handle on proportions, anatomy, and the basics of

movement, you can take your believable figures to new heights of expression and artistry.

In this lesson, Francis Vallejo describes some of the approaches to individual style and how to apply

them to your own approach to figure drawing.

Get ready to look for what you love in each pose and reference, pushing it further to go where no

camera can ever venture, where every line and brushstroke holds life and meaning.

For practicing the material in this lesson, you may find the following reference sites helpful:

n Reference! Reference! - Video clips including many actions to draw from

n Posemaniacs - 3D anatomical models in a variety of poses from many viewpoints

n Senshistock on DeviantArt - A huge gallery of inspiring poses

n Scott Eaton Bodies in Motion - A photographer and artist’s collection of active poses

Ready? Let’s get started!

STYLE DISTORTION // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES PENCILKINGS

STYLE DISTORTION // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES PENCILKINGS

VIDEO TWO - PRINCIPLES OF MOVEMENT AND SHAPEThe most important line in every figure drawing is the Line of Action. The Line of Action is an invisible line flowing through the figure, capturing the fluid movement of the pose.

n This line allows all elements of the figure to be grouped in the direction of the movement, bringing greater life and naturalness to the drawing.

n Look for the Line of Action in the extension of limbs and curvature of the spine. Accentuate the movement by stretching limbs that flow in the direction of the line of action and squashing those that move perpendicular to the flow.

n In capturing quick movements, the forms of the limbs - and sometimes even the body - are reduced to curving tubes as they blur before our eyes. Keep this in mind when building simple figure outlines - called gesture drawings - from the line of action.

n Remember to draw around the form, staying loose and free, searching for the figure amid the activity and liveliness of your sketching.

SKILL CHECK

Collect reference photos of poses showing various activities or moods. Draw the line of action through each pose, seeking out the direction and flow of movement. You may even want to sketch in the changes you would make to the figure to give more life and action to the pose.

STYLE DISTORTION // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES PENCILKINGS

VIDEO THREE - REVIEWING THE STYLES OF THE MASTERSIn the lesson Francis analyzes the stylistic choices of many great painters and draftsmen.

Included among them:

n The influence of contrasting light and dark shapes

n Curving round shapes and compositional wedges

n Exaggeration of realism in detailed drawings

n Carefully adjusted references bringing characters to life

Research artists that excite you and study their styles. Do they use shape to stylize their figures?

Color? Value? Line? Exaggeration? Abstraction? Or simple adjustments to reality? The greater variety

of art you study, the more ideas you’ll have for defining your own style!

SKILL CHECK

Find three very different works of figurative art you find exceptionally emotional or interesting. Make three lists, labeled ‘Figure Drawing’, ‘Color and Value’ and ‘Media’.

For each work of art, analyze the artist’s interpretation of the figure, use of color and value, and the way they use their chosen media. Circle the aspects of each stylistic choice which interest you the most.

VIDEOS FOUR, FIVE AND SIX - DRAWING WITH STYLETo begin a stylistic figure drawing, start by studying your reference. Check the silhouette for

clarity; all parts of the figure should be easily ‘read’ and not blending into each other. Consider

altering the placement of limbs in order to accentuate the line of action. Don’t begin drawing

until you have a good idea of the direction you wish to take!

n Work with a light or colored pencil, or on a separate layer in a digital painting program, so that you

can draw freely and figure out the drawing as you go. No one will ever see this sketchy scribble so

have fun and be expressive!

n Your first line should define the line of action. Look for shapes and build the figure around this

line, exaggerating perspective and foreshortening, movement and expression. Once you have

down the basic idea of the drawing, you can switch to a 2B or darker pencil, ink, or a heavier brush

on a new layer in your digital program.

n When finishing the drawing, alternate straights against curves and keep wedges and asymmetry in

mind. The unevenness and variety will keep your figures looking natural and alive.

STYLE DISTORTION // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES

VIDEOS FOUR, FIVE AND SIX - DRAWING WITH STYLE (CONTINUED)...In the second demo, Francis works with the contours of a figure, drawing freely to create a finished,

stylistic figure.

Practicing this method will help you get comfortable with being ‘wonky’ without being ‘wrong’. React

to what you are seeing, letting your line go thick and thin, and explore the masses of the figure with

simple shading to bring out their silhouettes.

These drawings may not always be perfect, but some will capture moments you might have not seen

otherwise!

In the third demo, Francis introduces ink as a media for capturing light and shadow in an interesting,

almost abstract way.

Always consider how your media can effect the natural hard and soft edges of forms and shadows,

and allow looseness to vividly express darkness and expose highlights.

STYLE DISTORTION // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES

SKILL CHECK

Select a reference photo of a figure and begin with a line of action, slowly building up an expressive sketch. Using a darker line, finish the drawing in your own style.

TRY THESE EXERCISES TO SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS!Capturing movement lies at the root of stylistic figure drawing. Using photo reference,

practice making simple gesture drawings. Start with a line of motion then fill in the most basic details of masses and limbs.

Spend no longer than one minute on each drawing. Try to do 10 at a time - several times a week! Have fun and discover all the ways the body can express movement.

SKILL UP

Using a drybrush technique with ink, paint, or a rough, painterly brush in a digital

program, use a photo reference to create a stylistic figure drawing with full expression

of light and dark.

BONUS ROUND

Use style to create style! Find a work of figurative art you really appreciate in any media or style. Create a copy in your OWN style, being sure to make different choices in how to express the figure.

For example, if the artist used a thin line, use a thick line. If the artist stayed close to realism, exaggerate as much as you like. Your finished work should still resemble the original, but have a totally new appearance!

ADVANCED

STYLE DISTORTION // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES

AFTER WATCHING THIS VIDEO COURSETake your newfound style and apply it to some of these great Pencil Kings lessons:

n Sailor Pinup by Laurie B.

n Steampunk Girl by Lois Van Baarle

n Pencil Queen by Sycra Yasin

STYLE DISTORTION // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES