Lesson: Motion Figures

Part 1: Representing Motion

Drawing Excersie
Step 1: Individual Work: 5 minutes
  • Using the sheet of paper provided, draw 3 unique motions figures.
  • If you are painting, try using steady lines from thick to thin.

Step 2: Working in pairs: 15 minutes
  • Each partner will model a motion of their partner's choosing, which that partner will draw on a larger sheet of paper provided.
  • Each will take their turn to model a full-body action pose. Examples of such action poses include: climbing a ladder, bouncing a ball, dancing at a rave, lifting something, skiing, running. The idea is to form an action that takes-on an interesting body position.
  • Trying several poses till you find the pose you deem most interesting.
  • Think of your action while you model for your partner.
  • Before drawing look for big general shapes for example the rough shape of the head, torso, arms, forearms, hands hips, etc...
  • Look for the major lines that form the body. Establish the "spine" line that runs from the top to the bottom of your model.
  • Try to accentuate or exaggerate the major portions of the body that are involved in that particular motion.

Materials

  • India Ink & Chinese calligraphy brush 0r regular paint brush & black paint.
  • Large Paper (sheet of newsprint works well) or drawing paper
  • Smaller Paper
""Wire Sculpture of a Dancer"" by Sinthia Cousineau

Part 2: The Wire Sculpture

Objective:
-To create a wire sculpture (8-11 inches tall)

  • Cut wire to be about one foot in length. This will be the wire you will work with to create a motion sculpture.
  • Use the stronger and heavier gauge wire (example: clothes hanger) to create a cope "spine" for your sculpture.
  • Build the volume of the body parts upon this "spine" with lengths of thinner wire (19 + 20 gauge). Wrap the wire around to creat volumes of shape.
  • Try to add detail, put focus on emphasizing the position and action of the body.
Note: Create the wire sculpture based on one of the motions of your previous drawings.

Materials

  • Malleable gauge wire
  • Metal Coat-Hanger
  • Wire Cutters

Part 3: The Plaster Sculpture

This section will be added shortly.