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One thing that always amazed me in the art world is the focus artists dedicate to the Figure Nude despite 99% of people around the world are dressed. I read somewhere on the Internet about an artist who complained that in the art academies lot of time is dedicated to the Nude and very little time to the dressed figure.
I am not a detractor of Nude and I can imagine the satisfaction for an artist when represents it on his canvas. I just wonder how the same effort is not dedicated to the dressed figure. In drawing or painting a dressed figure is important that the dress looks like a second skin. Each figure movement or action generates, in some places, the forces from which the folds come from. A good artist must take into account these points and forces in order to make the drapery as an integral part of the figure.
In addition to the force of gravity, other forces act due to actions of the figure. These actions can be grouped into 4 categories:
Extending Actions. These actions occur when the figure is in erected posture. Head, back and neck are straightened. Arms and legs are tightly stretched, as well as hands and feet.
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Bending Actions. These actions occur when you bend your arms by turning the elbow, when you bend the knee through the legs, abdomen and neck.
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Twisting Actions. These actions occur in the turning of the head to the left or to the right; in the twisting of the chest against the pelvis; in the twisting of the legs in the hip socket; in the movement of the arms in the shoulder cup; and in the turning of the wrists and ankles
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Rotation actions. These are all actions in which a body part rotates against a reference point. For example, the arm that rotates against the shoulder, the leg against the hip, the circular movements of the head, tightening of the torso, in the rotation of the hands and feet.
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All of these actions, combined with gravity, affect the generation of the folds. For those who want to explore these subjects more deeply, I suggest the book Dynamic Wrinkles and Drapery (*) by Burne Hogarth.
Credit: Dynamic Wrinkles and Drapery (*) by Burne Hogarth.
* Disclaimer: the links for the Drawing Wrinkles and Drapery book are affiliate links and I do earn a commission through any purchases that you make. If you do make a purchase, I appreciate it! If you wish, send me an email so I can thank you personally.
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