1. What is gesture drawing? Visual Arts 10

2. Gesture drawing is...... a method of training hands to quickly sketch what the brain has already seen. Staying "focused" means sustained concentration. Once you start drawing, don't stop--there's only 1-2 minutes to finish! This is Gesture practice.

3. Steps to Success!

4. Focus...... constantly! The eye, a wonderful camera estimates proportions, contours, movement, and contrasts quickly. Determine contours first, then interior shapes and shadows.

5. Draw lightly...... for the 1st "layer" as a rough draft; darker for the 2nd drawing corrections right over the 1st layer adding contrast; then, the darkest 3rd layer with deep shadows and final contours.

6. Draw quickly...... the entire image is viewed in a blink. Make the pencil follow content flashed to the brain. Keep the pencil/pen in constant circular and linear motion. Catch the form, not the details.

7. Constant movement...... is a necessity. Quick, light drawing makes for easy clarifications in succeeding layers. Move eyes with quick returns without moving the head. Accuracy takes patience, perseverance and lots of practice.

8. No erasing...... as the gesture drawing's purpose is to develop visual skills which will effect expertise. Erasing breaks focus and wastes time!

9. Here’s a quick example... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRTqpJ Ms98E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRTqpJ Ms98E

10. Your Turn!!! Get several sheets of paper ready. Try using a high B pencil(9B – 6B), hold the pencil high and keep your movements loose. You will have 2 minutes to draw the object and/or figure on the next slide. Work fast, trust your eye.

14. Now time for some still-life... Grab a random object and put it in front of you on the table, for example, a pair of scissors, erasor, ipod, book, etc. Make sure the object has some dimension and is interesting to draw – you will have 5 minutes this time to complete a gestural drawing of the object Go!

15. Once finished, switch objects with a person to your left or right – make sure you have a new object. Try to capture some realism and dimension of the object, but remember to keep it loose and stay relaxed. Let’s try this again – go!