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Bucks County Classical Arts Center

Why your figures look like they're falling over

Published 15 days ago • 3 min read
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The Plumb Line

A ten-second fix for figures that won't stand up

What's next below

Here's a problem every figure drawer runs into: the proportions are fine, the shapes are right, but the figure still feels like it's about to tip over. Floating. Ungrounded.

It's almost never an anatomy problem. It's a balance problem.

When a figure stands, its weight has to land somewhere. Here's how to find it:

  1. Find the notch at the base of the throat.
  2. Hold your pencil straight up and down at arm's length, and line it up with that notch.
  3. Look at where the pencil lands at the feet. That's the leg carrying the weight.

Draw that standing leg first, and the rest of the pose has something to hang from. If the plumb line doesn't land over the weight-bearing foot, the figure will feel unstable no matter how well it's rendered.

Try it on someone waiting in line, or on a photo. It takes ten seconds, and it changes how you see a figure.

This is where we start in Quick Sketch Figure Drawing, which begins Friday, October 23. Details are below.

This Week

Wednesday, October 7: Wednesday Atelier Intensive, 10am to 4pm. The afternoon Long Pose runs 1 to 4pm with Justine modeling. We have a few spots open, contact us to join.

Friday, October 9: Plein Air Landscape, 9am to 12pm. This is the second to last session of the fall series. Peace Valley Fishing Point, https://maps.app.goo.gl/9pbss5nLLYU6x6MC8?g_st=ac​

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​Friday, October 9 & 16: Quick Sketch Life Drawing drop-in, 9:30am-12:30pm, moderated by Mary. $17 at the door.

Friday, October 9: Online Drawing Class on Zoom with Nautilia, 11am to 12pm. Join by the day​

Friday, October 9: Friday Evening Studio with Nautilia, 6:30 to 9pm. Sign up here​

Saturday, October 10: Junior Masters (ages 7 to 10), 9 to 10am, followed by the Saturday Intensive, 10am to 1pm. We have a few spots open, contact us if interested.

Coming Up

Friday, October 16: The final plein air session of the fall at Sailors Point, Peace Valley.

Friday, October 23: Quick Sketch Figure Drawing begins. Eight Friday mornings with me, 10am to 1pm, through December 18 (no class November 27). $480. It's quick sketch built on constructive anatomy, so even a 30-second pose reads as real structure. The plumb line above is where we start. Watch a class demo​

Wednesday, October 28: The next Long Pose figure drawing series begins, Wednesdays 1 to 4pm through December 16, with no class Thanksgiving week.

Thursday, November 5- Dec 3: Still Life Painting with Nautilia, 10:30am to 12:30pm. A fall still life in oil, built step by step. A good first class for anyone who wants to learn to paint. Sign up here​

Fridays, November 6, 13 and 20: Watercolor Fridays with Sharon Ann Smith, 1:30 to 3:30pm. Washes, color mixing, layering, and brush technique, with individual guidance at your own pace. All levels welcome, and all materials are included. $225 for the three-class series or $75 per class. Register by Monday, November 2. Sign up here​

Where We Are

99 Stockton Suites, Kingwood-Stockton Road, 6C, Rosemont, NJ. That's 2 minutes from Prallsville Mill and 11 minutes from Lambertville. Link is easiest​

Questions? Just reply to this email.

John

P.S. If you know someone who's been meaning to draw or paint, forward this to them. This is a good season to start.

Thank you for joining us!

John Murdoch

Director of Bucks County Classical Arts Center

See Murdoch Art Here!
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99 Stockton Suites, Kingwood-Stockton Road, Suite 6C, Rosement, NJ 08556
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