The
LINE OF ACTION should always be active.
Avoid vertical lines -- they are still and can make
your character wooden. Try
a sweeping curve, a diagonal or horizontal LINE
OF ACTION. TIP:
Use
your whole arm to draw instead of just your
wrist. TIP:
Add
axis lines like a wire frame to help you see the
dimension. TIP:
The hips are always attached across from each
other and they are always opposite each other. If
one is forward, the other is back. If one is up,
the other is down. TIP:
Draw the structure lines for the arms off the
top of the ball. Unlike the legs, the arms are
independent of each other. TIP:
Experiment
with different shapes of cylinders (4a).
Curved lines against curves or, better yet, curved
lines against straight lines form more dynamic and
interesting shapes
TIP:
The
neck is always on the front side of the body and
not on the top of the shoulders
(5a).
TIP:
Work
RUFF and LOOSE; it will add more
action attitude and spontaneity to your
designs. KEY
POINTS TIPS All
images copyright © Larry Lauria, 1999
CHARACTER CONSTRUCTION
STEP
1
First
begin with a LINE OF ACTION (1). Keep
it loose; it will help give your character a sense
of movement and attitude.
STEP
2
Add some SIMPLE SHAPES to the LINE OF
ACTION. Think of these shapes as three
dimensional, i.e., as FORMS with depth
(2).
STEP
3
We now need to build some STRUCTURE in
our character. Draw simple lines for the structure
of the arms and legs (3).
STEP
4
Create
forms around the line of structure for the arms and
legs. Most of the time you will be using cylinders
(4).
STEP
5
Know which direction the cylinders face
(5).
STEP
6
Finally,
hang the clothes over the forms. The details are
the last elements you add to a character design
(6).
SUMMARY
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