Uhf! Foot Cramp!
© 2026 Jcmlfineart
30 min study using graphite and ink
Samtastic
This is a very beautiful drawing, with supremely elegant negative space. The volumes of the thigh, arm and pectorals are nicely 'fleshy', and the hand is rendered with eloquent simplicity. I like the drawing very much.
Here is a take-it-of-leave-it idea that may appeal: there are places where the texture and weight of the body could be indicated by the line and tone. For example, the hard edge that outlines the breast does not speak of the softness of the tissue there. Similarly, the strong lines delineating the shadow area of the bicep remind me of YouTube drawing tutorials rather than the turning of a muscle. Lastly, the places where the body meets the ground do not indicate the weight of the body - the force.
To make the point clearer, there are places where you do exactly this, and with great success: the upper buttock and thigh make me believe that touching them would feel firm and muscular. I believe that I could put my fingers into the back of the lower knee, and 'feel' the recess and even the humidity. They eyelids feel skin-thin and delicate.
I was looking at some Paula Rego drawings in London last week, where this was often the feature I that most impressed. I assume it is to do with the weight of the line and the use of shadow, but someone of your skill should probably just think about it while drawing, and you will do it without using a technique.
Here is a take-it-of-leave-it idea that may appeal: there are places where the texture and weight of the body could be indicated by the line and tone. For example, the hard edge that outlines the breast does not speak of the softness of the tissue there. Similarly, the strong lines delineating the shadow area of the bicep remind me of YouTube drawing tutorials rather than the turning of a muscle. Lastly, the places where the body meets the ground do not indicate the weight of the body - the force.
To make the point clearer, there are places where you do exactly this, and with great success: the upper buttock and thigh make me believe that touching them would feel firm and muscular. I believe that I could put my fingers into the back of the lower knee, and 'feel' the recess and even the humidity. They eyelids feel skin-thin and delicate.
I was looking at some Paula Rego drawings in London last week, where this was often the feature I that most impressed. I assume it is to do with the weight of the line and the use of shadow, but someone of your skill should probably just think about it while drawing, and you will do it without using a technique.
Jcmlfineart
Sam,
Thank you for your response. I agree that the image is not very strong in the biceps. I will take this in my next session with this model. I'll also look up that artist just before I start tomorrow.
I was worried about the breast. See, this model actually has rather uniquely shaped breasts. So in mid-session, I debated changing it to a more typical breast shape because some viewers would read them as poorly formed rather than as what she actually looks like.
You pointing this out is a confirmation that I should have probably changed it so that the model reads more universally as 'Correct'. Not cause I am against unique body shapes, but because someone coming to the art cold, not knowing the reference, will not read the work well. So, thank you! This is a big help.
All of the best,
JCML Fine Art
Thank you for your response. I agree that the image is not very strong in the biceps. I will take this in my next session with this model. I'll also look up that artist just before I start tomorrow.
I was worried about the breast. See, this model actually has rather uniquely shaped breasts. So in mid-session, I debated changing it to a more typical breast shape because some viewers would read them as poorly formed rather than as what she actually looks like.
You pointing this out is a confirmation that I should have probably changed it so that the model reads more universally as 'Correct'. Not cause I am against unique body shapes, but because someone coming to the art cold, not knowing the reference, will not read the work well. So, thank you! This is a big help.
All of the best,
JCML Fine Art
Well, thank you!
One of the things I do nearly every day is draw and study bone structure and muscle movement/attachment. I study a section, then draw, focusing on what I am currently learning. Right now it's snyuvial joints. I often forget how they move in different parts of the body, cause they can move differently depending on the part of the body they are in.
There are a couple of ways you can study anatomy too:
I saw that you have joined the Artist Fellow Creative. Welcome! Those exercises are the ones I am working on when I post them. I figure if I need to learn this stuff, so do others. If you get the chance, try a few. Or you have, let me know what you think could make them better to learn from.
If you would like to swap art progress or otherwise connect, I am only a message or an email away. It's always lovely to have an art buddy.
All the best,
Michellerose
JCML Fine Art