The Importance of Freedom in Drawing

This cannot be stressed enough. It is the object of these exercises to help you gain a sweeping grasp of the action of the figure, consequently you are to ignore all things having no bearing on our present project—contour, or shading, or physical characteristics of any kind. In short, we want the action of the figure, and nothing else. If you can get someone to pose for you, fine. Or if you can get a manikin, so much the better. But none of these are really essential, for all you really need is a good sized mirror. You can use yourself as a model, as many artists have done. Either by standing, sitting or lying in front of the mirror in various positions you have an opportunity, free of all self-consciousness to record what you determine to be the "action" of your pose.

Now, you will observe that the action of the figure gets its first impulse at a point somewhere below the head. It begins by swinging around the head, somewhat as a point of departure— not unlike the way a pitcher starts his wind-up before letting go of the ball. Sometimes this "wind-up" starts at a point under the chin, swinging up over the skull and then coming around and through the figure, twisting in such a way as to capture the spiral-ing effect of tlie figure (if it is standing) as it mounts into space. At other times—depending on one's vantage—this wind-up commences at the back of the head, just under the skull, and swings around in the opposite direction. In a reclining pose it may start just under the ear, either on one side or the other—again depending on the particular position. But if the figure happens to be lying either on its stomach or its back, then the wind-up reverts to that which we use for the upright figure.

All this may seem a little complicated to you at first, and your first attempts are almost certain to be awkward. But if you've ever played golf or tennis you will undoubtedly remember how difficult at first it was for you to get used to the proper grip and swing of the racquet or club, but how after a while it seemed the most natural thing in the world for you to do it correctly. If you apply this same psychology to your art studies the results are sure to come.