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Figure Drawing Part 2 - Drawing Figures in Perspective
Another question that came up was how to handle models sitting, lying down, or seen from extreme angles — in other words, figures in perspective . Many students can draw a standing figure straight on, but things fall apart when the body tilts or recedes. I've always found that treating the figure as a set of simple volumes in space can help. That coupled with some observational drawing techniques like plumb lining to see which points line up. Resource to Study: Marcos Mateu-
James Otto Allen
1 min read
Figure Drawing Part 1 - Understanding Planes of the Body
Over the last few weekends, I taught anatomy workshops on Drawing Anatomy: The Head & Hands and Drawing Anatomy: Full Body at The Art Academy, London. Many students asked what to study next, so I’ve written this two-part series to help anyone continuing their figure-drawing journey. Each post tackles a common question from class - from simplifying the body into planes to drawing figures in perspective and designing your own characters. Part 1 - Understanding Planes of the B
James Otto Allen
2 min read
Drawing a Classical Plaster Cast in Charcoal — A Study in Form, Light, and Tradition
Plaster casts have long been a cornerstone of classical art education — and for good reason. Their simplified white surfaces, strong form, and timeless elegance make them ideal for studying light, shadow, and structure. In my latest YouTube video, I take you through my charcoal drawing of a particularly challenging plaster cast head, from start to finish. This was a complex sculpture — a Roman or Ancient Greek-style mask, full of deep-set features, sharp planes, and flowing l
James Otto Allen
2 min read
How to Draw a Skull Using a Simplified Planar Approach
Understanding the structure of the human skull is essential for any artist looking to improve their portrait and figure drawing skills. In my latest YouTube video, I break down the process of drawing a skull using a simplified planar model alongside a real skull reference. This exercise helps train your eye to see the underlying forms and volumes, making it easier to draw realistic heads with confidence. Why Use a Simplified Skull Model? When learning to draw the head, it's e
James Otto Allen
2 min read
How to Make a Line Drawing from a 2D Reference to Scale – A Step-by-Step Guide
Want to improve your drawing accuracy? In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to draw from a 2D reference that is the same size as your paper.
James Otto Allen
3 min read
Charcoal Figure Drawing: Time Lapse of Male Torso and Legs
Charcoal: Time-Lapse Drawing of a Male Torso and Legs In my latest YouTube video, I’ve created a time-lapse of a charcoal drawing focusing on the male torso and legs, breaking down the process of rendering anatomy, light, and form. The Power of Charcoal in Figure Drawing I love charcoal for it's versatility. It can render deep shadows having a large tonal value range, soft transitions if desired, and is relatively inexpensive. When working on this study, I focused on: Structu
James Otto Allen
1 min read
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