Gestures 23 10 22

Ya Tonovz, I've seen your work and I really love your gestures! You're a lot better than I am, so I don't really have too much to add (I've been hesitant to write you a crit), but I did want to point out one thing. You mentioned a few sessions ago that you were working on wrapping lines.

The purpose of wrapping (in my understanding) is to better define the structure, and give more of a 3d feel to the image. They are guidlines that help you understand the form, but they most likely won't make it into your final image (although they may, often in the form of seams or creases on clothes or skin).

Shadows, on the other hand, will remain present in the finished work. Shadows can also be used to help define form. However, it takes a (very) long time to understand light and shading, and even longer to master it, so a lot of times throwing down a few wrapping lines is a quicker, easier way to define the form.

If I look at the figure in the center on the bottom, I feel a little bit confused about some of your lines. On the (character's) right leg, I have many curved lines appearing on the back of the leg, implying a shadow. These curved lines fit with the form, so they could be considered wrapping lines, however, they do not go all the way across the form. On the bottom of the left leg, as well as the left arm, on the other hand, I have these lines covering the entire form, however, the lines do not really seem to match the shape of the form (If I'm understanding it correctly). The curves on the right arm also do not seem to match the form, although they appear only on one side of the arm, so they could simply be defining a shadow.

I would try to focus less on putting down a LOT of wrapping lines, and instead only put down 2 or 3 per structural element, thinking carefully about where they should go based on the shape. Also, I would try to keep your wrapping lines and your shading unique/separate. Perhaps you could do hatched shading on some figures, and use wrapping lines on others, or you could separate them by using tone for your shadows. You could also use tight, straight lines for your hatching, and save the sweeping curves for your wrapping lines.

One other note on wrapping lines, you can use them in both directions, IF you have them intersect at right angles. For example, I could draw a line down the center of the lower torso form, and then another around it at the hips/belly button.

Remember that a wrapping line does not necessarily have much curve. There will almost always be a little bit of curve, but depending on the angle of the form, it may be very close to straight.

Stay Creative,

--Siv