Gesture Drawing: how to draw movement
Gesture drawing is a fundamental exercise.
(from Jan 21, 2021)
It's the best way to learn how to put life and energy into your drawings.
The idea is to find the movement in your body that corresponds to the movement you see in front of you.
That part is easier than you think. As a human being, you are aware of what the figure you're drawing is doing. So, be aware as you draw.
You don't have to DO anything so much as ALLOW the movement to come through the pencil.
It's about mindfulness. That doesn't mean "relaxation" or "being careful not to get distracted." It means being aware of what you're aware of.
(Of course, you're always aware of what you're aware of. But, that doesn't mean you're trusting that you're aware. Helpful tip: every time you are tempted to stop and try to figure out what to draw, push the pencil along the paper instead.)
You're allowed to worry about what the drawing looks like, but that's not part of the exercise. It's just something that will happen. You have to accept your mistakes and your worries.
(Accepting your mistakes doesn't mean you won't improve. It means you'll let yourself keep practicing when you make mistakes, rather than stop and try to solve your whole life instead.)
This is the only right way to learn. It's the easy way and the natural way.
Practicing should be integrated and holistic. That doesn't mean it has anything to do with alternative medicine or reiki or anything else like that. It only means you should operate as a sane human being, not as someone who's having a panic attack.
(Nothing against people with panic disorder. But, they'll be the first to tell you they'd rather not have panic attacks.)
It's a form of meditation. That doesn't mean it should feel "therapeutic". It means it's about going deep below the surface of your mind and working on that level.
(I use the word "meditation" to refer to KorMeditation, which is based on ancient Buddhist meditation techniques.)
If you're looking to feel good about yourself, look elsewhere. This is for people who want to improve and are willing to experience some discomfort.
#gesturedrawing #kormeditation #mindfulness #drawing #basicexercises #drawingexercise