Drawing human bodies help please?

[Thinktink606432]

I have read just about every book I could find on human anatomy and drawing proper human bodies and yet I cannot,for the life of me, figure out how to draw a body. I can draw the bodies but I fell like they never have the right view in 3/4 view. I can draw a profile view great. I also was wondering if any one knew anything that could help me draw legs, arms and hands.

[JoelMayer]

Hi there!

Apart from drawing a lot here are some things that helped me:

First there is Vilppu's Drawing Manual. Glenn Vilppu is an ex-Disney Layout Man so his Approach to Life Drawing and especially Gesture Drawing is pretty much geared towards animators: www.vilppustudio.com. There are also some Videos which you can download but the Drawing Manual is quite sufficent i think.

It's always best to draw from life, but when there's no model at hand, you can look at sites like Characterdesign.com where you'll find a great resource of many many pictures of humans in different poses: http://www.characterdesigns.com/

Maybe you should take some Life Drawing too?

Cheers!

[joedorsey]

Here's a thread on links to hand references...

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=760

[Rodney]

It sounds to me like you are at the stage where you'd gain much from the experience of a knowledgeable teacher. Someone who can draw over or on top of your drawings and whittle away at the anatomical features.

You can do this yourself to a point by studying reference and critiquing yourself but it can be even more useful to have someone point out a weakness so you can (with the understanding you gain) transform that into a strength.

In short, seek out some form of focused mentor/apprenticeship relationship in that area of interest.

Added: You can also post your drawings here (and in a variety of other forums) for critique.

[arif]

Hey Joel...

Thank you very much for the address..got some books for you......

Regards,
Arif

[johncbeggs]

I posted this site before I think but heres a really great site for any online animation reading! :)

[lavallelee]

how disappointing, i'm not a fan of pirating (sad some of you guys are)

it is the same as stealing, i buy my books

[JoelMayer]

Well as for the Loomis Books there
out of print since decades and can only be found in used bookstores. The Loomis Family seems, for some reason, have no interest in reprinting and really dont care which is a shame. I think theyd make a fortune out of it. But these books are Abandonware in my opinion. So better to share knowledge for free than have it be forgotten forever isnt it? ;)

[lavallelee]

Not all, the Preston Blair books i bought, the animators workbook, Don Bluths books i bought, animator survival kit too

there is no excuse for stealing :p

as for andrew loomis

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=andrew+loomis&x=0&y=0

I think on this forum you guys should not post pirated material, Don could get in trouble.

[johncbeggs]

Lavalle I never said anything about pirated books! if you go into a Chapters and read a book such as Dons art of story boarding does that make it pirated!

Its information, if you have the money you should support artists and their books, movies, everything where credit is needed!

If you want it down lavalle Ill remove the link?

Sad Some of you would rather judge others!

[lavallelee]

Lavalle I never said anything about pirated books! if you go into a Chapters and read a book such as Dons art of story boarding does that make it pirated!

Its information, if you have the money you should support artists and their books, movies, everything where credit is needed!

If you want it down lavalle Ill remove the link?

Sad Some of you would rather judge others!

I think we should ask Dave, he is the admin. Last thing we want is Don getting in trouble, after all this is his forum.

[johncbeggs]

No problem its gone! :)

But let me tell you Im no theif, Ive been robbed a few times actually and got in a few fights with more than one robber at a time!

my friends little brother got beat up by a gang of natives, they were making racial slurs toward him being italian!
- Stole his shirt, wallet and shoes! left him on the ground all bloody. - he survived but was messed up pretty bad!

my take on being a thief I can assure you is alot more realistic!

[jeremyhopkins]

Lavalle I never said anything about pirated books! if you go into a Chapters and read a book such as Dons art of story boarding does that make it pirated!
I'm not a moderator but if you don't mind my humble opinion. I don't think it is an apples to apples comparison. Books in a bookstore are available for browsing because it helps facilitate sales. A closer comparison would be a library where books can be checked out for a period of time and then returned. Though nothing is being returned, it's just being taken.

Right now we're in a transition period and not all hard copy products are available digitally for sale. While I don't think it is your intention to encourage piracy, it could be perceived that way. Fortunately, under the digital millennium copyright act (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.2281.ENR:), so far no cases in the US have found the website owner liable to linking to copyright content. It's up to the copyright holder to issue a take down notice to the site hosting the content and if host site doesn't comply, they'll be liable. This is why some copyright content is still available on youtube and you'll see notices now saying that certain content has been removed. Some companies are more particular about enforcing the DMCA than others.

Recently parliament in Canada is in the process of passing Bill C-32 (http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/5080/125/) which is similar to the digital millennium copyright act in the US and that would make circumventing any form of DRM illegal. That would include DRM on ebooks as well. If that happens Canadians may face similar fines as US downloaders: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64B0AU20100512

Bottom line, copyright is a real mess right now and we all know you aren't an intentional pirate but when you're dealing in a public/professional forum where some people earn residuals off their content, it's best to keep things neat and tidy so you don't get into trouble later on.

[johncbeggs]

I'm not a moderator but if you don't mind my humble opinion. I don't think it is an apples to apples comparison. Books in a bookstore are available for browsing because it helps facilitate sales. A closer comparison would be a library where books can be checked out for a period of time and then returned. Though nothing is being returned, it's just being taken.

Right now we're in a transition period and not all hard copy products are available digitally for sale. While I don't think it is your intention to encourage piracy, it could be perceived that way. Fortunately, under the digital millennium copyright act (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.2281.ENR:), so far no cases in the US have found the website owner liable to linking to copyright content. It's up to the copyright holder to issue a take down notice to the site hosting the content and if host site doesn't comply, they'll be liable. This is why some copyright content is still available on youtube and you'll see notices now saying that certain content has been removed. Some companies are more particular about enforcing the DMCA than others.

Recently parliament in Canada is in the process of passing Bill C-32 (http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/5080/125/) which is similar to the digital millennium copyright act in the US and that would make circumventing any form of DRM illegal. That would include DRM on ebooks as well. If that happens Canadians may face similar fines as US downloaders: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64B0AU20100512

Bottom line, copyright is a real mess right now and we all know you aren't an intentional pirate but when you're dealing in a public/professional forum where some people earn residuals off their content, it's best to keep things neat and tidy so you don't get into trouble later on.

:laughing: I just posted a link! I wont post anything of the sort anymore!
its not really a big deal, common jeremy reading me laws!

and I already deleted the link its no problem! :D

Next time you go on youtube and listen to a song or watch an episode of a tv show a clip even! if Im thefting someone for reading a book off a site than so is every person on youtube :laughing:

[jeremyhopkins]

if Im thefting someone for reading a book off a site than so is every person on youtube

No John, that's not what I'm saying. I'm trying to explain relatively new laws that impact how we consume media. People who watch copyright content or link to it on youtube under the DMCA are currently, as I understand it, not the ones held accountable. People who break DRM, upload it to videos sharing sites and the site itself are the ones who are liable for damages. Therefore you have done nothing legally wrong by posting a link. Ethically, perhaps it's a grey area, but legally, as I understand it, you're fine. Does this make sense?

its not really a big deal, common jeremy reading me laws!
I was asked for my opinion on this matter and I'm not trying to be a jerk by quoting some obscure law. The fact remains that DMCA and other versions of this law are becoming standard worldwide. I brought it up because getting in trouble and having to pay a huge fine over this stuff is stupid. If you don't know the rules to the game, the laws, it's hard to make a good, informed decisions. Part 2 is also protecting the original creators because nobody likes being ripped off whether it's intentional or not.

Anyways you don't have to listen to me. By posting links I gave you an outlet to explore, become involved and keep up to date with amendments to the consumption and storage of digital media.

[johncbeggs]

Dont worry Jeremy I was not saying you were being a jerk! :laughing:, I meant it in a friendly way!

I agree with you!
But I just dont appreciate being thought of as a thief! thats all Im trying to say and gave my reasons why!

:D

[JoelMayer]

Yeah, but those are used books of the one that i've posted. But i bought my copy of the Figure Drawing Book, because a small german Publisher decided to reprint it ;) As for the other books about animation. I own them all legally. Didnt even know, that there is such a website. Why did i waste all that money? :P Just kidding ;)

But since i dont want to have any trouble with any of you guys here, i removed the link too. But a great site to start for anyone new to animation is this one here: http://www.karmatoons.com/drawing/drawing.htm

Totally legimitate and free of charge. ;)

[Thinktink606432]

Yeah, but those are used books of the one that i've posted. But i bought my copy of the Figure Drawing Book, because a small german Publisher decided to reprint it ;) As for the other books about animation. I own them all legally. Didnt even know, that there is such a website. Why did i waste all that money? :P Just kidding ;)

But since i dont want to have any trouble with any of you guys here, i removed the link too. But a great site to start for anyone new to animation is this one here: http://www.karmatoons.com/drawing/drawing.htm

Totally legimitate and free of charge. ;)

Wow thanks for the link. It really is helping me quite a bit.

[Thinktink606432]

It sounds to me like you are at the stage where you'd gain much from the experience of a knowledgeable teacher. Someone who can draw over or on top of your drawings and whittle away at the anatomical features.

You can do this yourself to a point by studying reference and critiquing yourself but it can be even more useful to have someone point out a weakness so you can (with the understanding you gain) transform that into a strength.

In short, seek out some form of focused mentor/apprenticeship relationship in that area of interest.

Added: You can also post your drawings here (and in a variety of other forums) for critique.

Thanks, that is exactly what I need. I wish their was someone in my family or a friend who could help me. BTW I did post a few of a drawings here and on Deviant Art.

[johncbeggs]

thankyou joel I appreciate the link! :D

hey you know the main page!
http://www.karmatoons.com/

thats near the exact same size as my room :laughing: my door only opens halfway before hitting my animation desk! :laughing:

[Seth]

Karma Toons is a great site! That's where I learned about the Flour Sack for animating. Now if I could only animate the Flour Sack well I would be in business...

[Rodney]

Karmatoons is well worth revisiting time and time again.
I learn something every time I visit and the lessons sink further in.

Back when animation was part of the Joe Kubert school's curriculum I really wanted to attend. As I have an interest in creating comic books, I'd still love to attend! ;)

[KlarkKentThe3rd]

I have read just about every book I could find on human anatomy and drawing proper human bodies and yet I cannot,for the life of me, figure out how to draw a body. I can draw the bodies but I fell like they never have the right view in 3/4 view. I can draw a profile view great. I also was wondering if any one knew anything that could help me draw legs, arms and hands.

1. Look at yourself. A mirror will help :)

2. Look at others.

3. Anatomy makes sense. We are made in such a way to be very mobile and take as many poses as possible. When drawing the rest of the body, think: "how will this person MOVE? Will these hands be able to grab a cup o' coffee?" and such. A picture is a snapshot of movement. Think "how will this pile of lines move?" everytime you draw an ppl.


Hope that helps! :)

[GdeSouza]

One just has to keep drawing and not worry about how it's looking. Anatomy is very complex. Learning what the muscles and bones are called doesn't hurt but learning how they move, turn, expand and contract, etc. is just as important. And then as an animator of drawings there is the challenge of simplifying linearly; how that final line describes the form. As for books, I recommend looking them over and then choosing one artist to be your mentor. Personally I get overwhelmed with all the info. When you feel you're ready for another approach then move to another book. I think Bridgman's book is the best.
If you can find one, nothing, absolutely nothing, can replace drawing from life at a life drawing class. Taking a sketchbook and trying to inconspicuously draw subjects around you is good. Remember keep it loose and put your whole arm into it and keep it quick and don't worry if it doesn't look pretty.
There are no short-cuts to life drawing, expect a lifetime of learning.

[Thinktink606432]

One just has to keep drawing and not worry about how it's looking. Anatomy is very complex. Learning what the muscles and bones are called doesn't hurt but learning how they move, turn, expand and contract, etc. is just as important. And then as an animator of drawings there is the challenge of simplifying linearly; how that final line describes the form. As for books, I recommend looking them over and then choosing one artist to be your mentor. Personally I get overwhelmed with all the info. When you feel you're ready for another approach then move to another book. I think Bridgman's book is the best.
If you can find one, nothing, absolutely nothing, can replace drawing from life at a life drawing class. Taking a sketchbook and trying to inconspicuously draw subjects around you is good. Remember keep it loose and put your whole arm into it and keep it quick and don't worry if it doesn't look pretty.
There are no short-cuts to life drawing, expect a lifetime of learning.

Thanks for that! Actually I do find my self stareing about people all the time and they ask me about it. Usually they think I am so sort of freak or something so maybe a sketch book will make me look like less of a creep? LOL. Are bridgman books still in print? Can I buy them from a website like Ebay or Amazon?

[GdeSouza]

Thanks for that! Actually I do find my self stareing about people all the time and they ask me about it. Usually they think I am so sort of freak or something so maybe a sketch book will make me look like less of a creep? LOL. Are bridgman books still in print? Can I buy them from a website like Ebay or Amazon?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0486227103/ref=rdr_ext_sb_ti_sims_5

Hmmm. I hope this is the one. I have an older volume which seems to be a combination of most the books....or It looks like they perhaps took the bok and broke it up to smaller editions. Still reasonably priced.
George Bridgman was Norman Rockwell's drawing teacher...and it's from his book a young Frank FRazetta copied and memorized the muscles.