How to Draw Clothing Folds in Charcoal

Описание: In this video, Ben M. Young will walk you through the process of building up a clothed figure in charcoal. This demo comes from Drapery Phase II in the Watts Atelier Online Program. This phase focuses on taking the 7 key folds (learned in the first phase) and applying them to full figures.

Drapery Phase I, II and III, along with Costumed Figure in Oil will be available on the Watts Online Program starting January 15th, 2025.

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Link to Materials*:
Charcoal drawing materials were used in this video.
https://www.wattsatelier.com/materials

About Ben Young:
Senior Watts Atelier Instructor
Ben Young has been at Watts Atelier for the past 25 years. He has worked as a freelance illustrator, fine artist and conceptual designer. Clients include Sony Entertainment, Reflexive Entertainment, Upper Deck and Blizzard.


Helpful drawing terms:

7 Key Folds: A series of 7 different patterns or structures that folds can take.

C-Curves, S-Curves, Straights: A drawing concept that uses simplified lines in the shape of a C, S or straight line to indicate a more complex form.

Lay-in: The first stage of a drawing or painting and primarily concerned with location, angles and placement. It is usually done very lightly and noncommittally, allowing for subsequent layers of information to be added. The lay-in covers the framework and basic proportions.

Reilly Method: Frank Reilly was a famed art instructor from New York’s Art Students League. He developed a method derived from a rhythmical grid system known as the Abstraction to navigate the complexities of the head and figure. It uses a rhythmical grid system that was designed off of key anatomical landmarks and muscle rhythms. Think of it as a GPS system for navigating the human form.

Comparative Measurement: Estimating your measurements by making very accurate visual assessments or guesses of the scale or size of what you are seeing by comparing your decisions to other decisions. This technique relies heavily on judging angles, vertical lines or plumb lines, and negative and positive shapes to navigate the figure or head.

Plumb Line: A straight vertical line. In drawing, you'll hold your arm up to your reference or model and drop a plumb line off of any particular place you'd like. With this vertical line, you can see where other parts intersect with the line. This is a measuring tool that helps us make sure the drawing stays as close as possible to the reference. For example, you might use a plumb line against the side of the head to see where the neck, shoulders, hips or feet line up in relation to it.

Cross-hatching: Utilizing a linear (line-driven) approach to describing form by creating patterns of density that represent either shadows or halftones. It can commonly be seen in graphite and inking work where line is being used to represent tone.

Anatomical Nuances: The subtle aspects of human anatomy. These are the often-overlooked aspects to drawing that, when utilized, offer a greater subtlety to your drawings or, when left out, cause the drawing to have a less-than-stellar result.

Acromion Process: The bony landmark at the top of the shoulder that is part of the scapula bone. Referencing Wikipedia: "a process is a projection or outgrowth of tissue from a larger body." In this case, that tissue is bone.

*No links on this page are sponsored or affiliates of Watts Atelier of the Arts LLC. These are just the materials we use.