Chapter 1 | WALKING, RUNNING, SPORTS
Walking can be done in all kinds of ways; here our model figure runs quietly, tough and rushed.
To learn how to draw this, assisting lines are very useful (drawn red here). For the smart use of assisting lines, see also Handy drawing tips part 2, chapter 2, level 3.
Exercise 1: Draw one or more of the walking postures.
When studying a realistic running figure you will most likely need more assisting lines to regularly check if the posture is correct. You can copy or clean up such a study afterwards. The main difference with walking is that both feet can come completely off the ground while running. To show this, I drew the shadow of the figure on the ground separately from the feet.
Exercise 2: Try to draw a running figure. You can also start with a wire figure (below). See Level 1: The Human figure part 1, chapter 2.
SPORTS
Here a javelin thrower has been drawn in four steps (based on a photo). The red guide line is essential for a good position.
Exercise 3: Try to draw the javelin thrower.
As a child I often drew football players, usually as wire figures. The player doesn’t need any extra attributes besides the ball. With football players from the side you can use the model figure very well and you do not suffer from difficult perspective shortenings.
To draw realistic shooting positions, more assisting lines are usually needed to regularly check whether the position you’re drawing is correct. You can later trace your drawing ‘clean’ and color it if you like.
Exercise 4: choose one or more of the following shooting positions to draw, or find a photo that you like to copy.
The most famous sporting position in art history is the discus thrower (discobólos) from around 450 BC. by the Greek sculptor Myron of Eleutherae. We see the discus thrower fully balanced, resting on his right leg. It is precisely the moment of rest between stretching the arm backwards and the actual throwing movement that will follow. The muscular athlete will turn completely around his own axis, rise from the bent position and throw the discus away with full force.
