These 2 charcoal gesture drawings were created in 1999 in a figure drawing class. They are about 2 feet wide by 4 feet tall. Each drawing was completed in less than 30 seconds in order to capture the movement and lines in the model’s pose. This technique is reinforced by limiting the time spent on each drawing, and using broad sweeping gestures with the charcoal. The body structure, stance, movement, and proportions of the model are quickly assessed as soon as the charcoal hits the page. Also, the charcoal was kept on the page as much as possible in order to find lines, shapes, and movement that more restrained techniques may miss in the art.
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23 responses so far ↓
1 Ruff // Aug 7, 2007 at 9:46 am
Less than 30 seconds?! You’re a wizz!!
2 MDE-ART.com // Aug 7, 2007 at 11:55 am
Thank you for your kind comment Ruff!
3 aly // Jan 1, 2008 at 9:28 pm
thats a very iteresting technique. was it hard to complete the peace in that time?
4 MDE-ART.com // Jan 3, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Hi aly, thank you for commenting. Gesture drawings were difficult at first, but once you train yourself to draw quickly it becomes very natural.
5 jay caguioa // Apr 4, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Nice Gestures! I like how you kept them loose because the bold and thin lines really convey as movement! Good stuff!
6 MDE-ART.com // Apr 4, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Thanks jay, I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
7 toniah // Sep 15, 2008 at 11:59 am
hi i am looking for an artist who does charcoal sketches i believe his name to be something like leon poffis i overheard it could you shed some light on who he is or any help on finding his work ?
8 MDE-ART.com // Sep 15, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Hi toniah,
I don’t know who you are referring to. I would recommend searching Google.
9 Capt_Poco // Nov 5, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Charcoal is a difficult medium. I love the bold curves of the second drawing. Actually, in ARTT110, we tried doing them in 15 seconds (we did about 6 consecutive 15 sec drawings). I can’t say we made very pretty drawings, but we did learn a lot (15 sec barely gives you enough time to put down all the limbs!).
10 MDE-ART.com // Nov 8, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Hi Capt_Poco,
Your story about art class brings back memories. Great stuff!
Thanks for your comments on my work!
11 Alex Wood // Jan 7, 2009 at 5:37 am
i am in IB art and i was wondering if i could use this drawing as an example of gesture drawing, it is so good, i would just love to have it in my research workbook
12 MDE-ART.com // Jan 13, 2009 at 8:06 am
Hi Alex,
Thanks for your comments! If IB is for school you can use the drawing in your research! Good luck with your artistic pursuits!
13 Katie // Aug 27, 2009 at 9:10 am
Hello!
Just wanted to check to make sure it would be okay to show my students these drawings so they have an idea of what they are trying to accomplish? Mine are not nearly this impressive! =)
14 MDE Art Blog // Aug 28, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Hi Katie,
I have responded to your inquiry via email.
Thank you for the compliment!
~Michael
15 sandrar // Sep 10, 2009 at 8:17 am
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.
16 angelina jolie // Sep 10, 2009 at 11:15 am
I love your site.
Love design!!! I just came across your blog and wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. Sign: ndsam
17 MDE Art Blog // Sep 11, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Thank you Sandra,
I appreciate your interest in my art!
18 MDE Art Blog // Sep 11, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Thanks angelina,
I’m glad to hear you enjoy the site and artwork!
19 Catherine Kitz // Nov 6, 2009 at 2:02 am
I love these drawings. I’m looking for a charcoal gesture drawing of the back of a woman who is standing. This is for a business card I’m creating. Is this something we can discuss?
20 Ryan Neale // Jan 7, 2010 at 2:42 pm
im in 6th form doing AS art, and looking at your work has helped me push my work forward, but i dont think mine could ever geta good as yours.
21 Maria Ratliff // Jan 17, 2010 at 8:50 pm
the second peice looks like a lady in an elegant gown trying to show off and make herslef attractive to passing by men.. thats just my opinion. its very nice and very elegant. deffinitely creative.
22 kenya molette // Aug 29, 2010 at 11:45 am
HELLO I FOUND SOME OF YOUR WORK ON LINE BY ACCIDENT BUT I TRULY LOVE YOUR WORK. I’M A STUDENT HERE IN CHICAGO WHO PLANS TO HAVE A FUTURE IN ART, I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS ANY ADVISE OR ANYTHING YOU DO OR SAY 2 HEPL ME MOVE FORWARD TO FIND MY RIGHT DIRECTION IT WOULD B GLADLY APPRECIATED I THANK YOU 4 YOUR TIME AND YOUR INSPIRATION. OH I’VE ALWAYS BEEN SELF TAUGHT AND WOULDNT MIND IF YOU CAN PEEK AT SOME OF MY WORK 2 JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK
23 Husian // Oct 14, 2011 at 7:56 pm
I love this gesture drawing I am going to use it as an example in my visual diary if that is ok, but I need to know the reference for this artwork you name of artist, date, etc.
Thanks.
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I no longer allow crosstalk of other commenters. I am unable to respond to all comments individually, however, I do read and appreciate them all. Please contact me if you have questions, and good luck with your artistic pursuits! =)