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Draw a Figure in Action

Use what you’ve learned about gesture to create a pastel drawing

You’ve seen how artists like Edgar Degas use gesture to communicate ideas. Now it’s your turn to sketch a figure in motion and complete a pastel drawing of your own.

Materials

pencils

sketch paper

willow or vine charcoal sticks

pastel paper

carbon paper

assorted pastels

Step 1: Gesture Sketches

Create a series of loose gesture sketches.

How does the student who completed this drawing use asymmetry?

You and your classmates should take turns modeling. One at a time, hold poses that reflect an athlete’s motion. You can even wear clothing that matches your sport or activity. For example, a student dressed as a baseball player may pose as if swinging a bat. Use pencils to create a few quick gesture sketches of the models, then switch to charcoal. As you work, look for key diagonal lines that will help define the action. Consider where the model’s weight is centered and how his or her spine curves. You might want to experiment with an asymmetrical composition or cropping. If you make a mistake, smudge the charcoal to blur the lines instead of erasing.

Tip: Don’t dwell on the details.

Step 2: Transfer Your Sketch

Transfer your gesture sketch onto pastel paper.

Select your most successful charcoal sketch to develop into a complete drawing. As you make your choice, think about which sketch best communicates an idea, emotion, or mood. Remember that your drawing should help the viewer understand something about the figure represented. You’ll want to consider  not only the accuracy of the figure’s proportions in your drawing, but also what you learn by looking at the figure. Transfer your sketch onto pastel paper using charcoal. You can do this using carbon paper or by sight, but you should keep  the loose quality of your original sketches. 

Tip: The figure’s facial expression should support his or her gesture.

Step 3: Add Color

Add layers of color to show form and create texture.

What is the role of the silhouette in this work?

Begin adding layers of pastels onto your charcoal drawings. Experiment with the way you apply the pastels to emphasize the gesture in your drawing. For example, try using hatching and contour lines to show the model’s musculature. You can add many layers of color, but don’t overblend them. Leaving some of the lines on the surface will add texture. Don’t use the color black to create shadows. Instead, use cool colors such as blue and green to develop the forms in your composition. As you work, begin to develop the space around your figure. You might add a simple background that accentuates the figure’s silhouette, or you could create a more developed scene.

Tip: Use vibrant colors that support your subject’s movement.

Prepared by Nancy D. Hoover, The Girls’ School of Austin, Austin, Texas

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