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Life Drawing

While getting ready for this weekend’s Los Angeles workshop, I came across this elegant rotoscope-based video (via Jim & Misty) that reminded me how beautiful the human form is—and how far I still have to go, after all these years, to capture it on paper.

There are no shortcuts. Yes, comics is about much more than figure drawing, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth your time to practice, practice, practice.

Do the hard work long enough, and maybe, someday, you can make it look easy.

[Edit to add: For those attending this weekend’s workshop, though, don’t worry! Figure drawing won’t be the focus, and even stick figures will be most welcome. We’ll be focusing on the art of “writing with pictures,” not drawing virtuosity. :-]


Discussion (8)¬

  1. This is really beautiful.

  2. freakart says:

    Awesome. And the perfect music by The Weepies

  3. Julio G says:

    Amazing! Makes me persist in my own work. You’re absolutely right: discipline is the key. The oulipiens (a group of artists and intelectuals from France) think that every form of art is mainly the repetition, the exercise of performing your work.
    Brilliant video, brilliant words.

    Greetings from Chile ^__^

  4. Amazing video – I’m a little verklempt!
    This is true, that everything we do as humans needs practice. It’s use it or lose it whether it’s cooking, baseball, stretching your muscles and drawing. There’s always more to learn, and more to teach ourselves. Think I’ll draw now 😉

  5. Matt says:

    this is a really good point that I don’t think gets made enough. And a really inspiring video to bring that message home.

  6. Phaxan says:

    Indeed, I can only agree. Very incredible and inspiring video 🙂

  7. Mary says:

    I started studying fine Arts at the community college, which included figure drawing, and it helped my drawing improve dramatically!!

    What a sweet video… The end made me so sad……….

  8. studentrep says:

    This is probably one of the most beautiful animations I’ve ever seen. The fluidity of their movements coupled with the exaggerated squash and stretch makes this a memorable piece. Thanks so much for sharing!