figure drawing with manikins or anatomical models?

[olcvisual]

My teacher suggested manikins or anatomical models, like the ones in the website below, for learning figure drawing. Manikins are cheaper but anatomical models are apparently better for different kinds of poses. Thoughts?

http://www.dickblick.com/categories/anatomicalmodels/

[D-Frag]

I say go with the models, but its all personal preference I think on your drawing style, how loose your are..etc.

http://www.pillargraphicdesign.com/dfrag/DFRAGSIG.jpg

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[Kink]

I have a few of those models, you can get them really cheap (I think about $8-$10) from IKEA. Depending what currancy you are in.
They work awesome for figure drawing...

But the best is an actual person, if you can get someone to model for you.. you got it made for free!!
All my classes for life drawing were actual models nude. It was great, just wish there was more of a variety.

Don't dunk the cat in the water!

[Broacher]

Hey-- don't overlook plastic action figure dolls. There's so many to choose from these days-- and while most don't adhere strictly to anatomical correctness, unlike Barbie, many of these have an amazing number of extra flexible and clever joints -- more so than the standard manikin.

And hey, they're a lot more fun to go shopping for!

[Fixion]

You can get the wood figures from Prizm art supplies for something like $5! there is a program/book called virtual pose and Virtual pose 2 that are pretty cool. They are nude models shot in a virtual tour, so you can rotate them 360. Nothing compares to a live model though

Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice…ummn…you don't fool me again?… (well I guess you do)

[Fixion]

by thw way did you know Neil Gaiman (author of sandman) has a movie coming out?
http://www.mirrormask.com

Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice…ummn…you don't fool me again?… (well I guess you do)

[olcvisual]

Fixion, Thanks for the Gaiman news.

I'm leaning toward the anatomical models. I thought about action figures and might take a life drawing class eventually but the details in both intimidate me.

[Broacher]

Hey, there's always spray paint for the action figures. As for life drawing class details-- most of my life drawing models that I trained on were in their 50s and 60s, with more details than we needed.

Did anyone mention Poser? I know some illustrators who actually use this easy to operate app to set up the rough for drawing/painting layouts. But I do think that you have to get the figure in 'the arm' before you get it on the screen. Standing up against an easel and using your whole arm to sketch a figure--- that's a whole different level of learning, IMO.

[defjoe]

I have a model.. it helps with poses and such. but I also have a ton of reference like body building magazines (for superhero work). Also taking a figuredrawing class is good but if you can't do that then take a pad and pencil and go to the mall. nothing like real life.

'I will become the most powerful Jedi ever!'
'I'm the damn designer, bitches!'

Check out my indie comic book!
www.assassinsguild.net/ (http://www.assassinsguild.net/)

[PrintDriver]

I'm like Joe. Lots of references ripped from mags and posed photos I've shot all in a box I call The Morgue. Not all of them are people. Animals, buildings, trees, odd angle shots, you name it. I also have the models and the action figures. Plus a whole slew of Japanese books with 360degree shots of different poses. Never got the virtual disks.
Our models in life drawing class were hot! We were lucky that year. Got so the professor had to paper the window in the door cuz other kids at the college would make a special trip all the way to the top floor of the Art building just to gawk... LOL!

PrintDriver is a grande format digital print dude (bigger than a proofer, LOL). His advice/opinions may not apply to the 4color/offset/web world of printing

[Broacher]

Well our models were very... experienced! In fact, some even came apart for convenient anatomy study. I'm thinking of the time this guy's dentures fell out. Or that old gal with the prosthetic leg and the wig.

I used to wonder if there was a discount live modelling store near the college.

[PrintDriver]

Gives a whole new meaning to 'Rent-A-Wreck'
;)

PrintDriver is a grande format digital print dude. His advice/opinions may not apply to the 4color/offset/web world of printing

[Kink]

LOL
I know what you mean, our model for 2 straight years was in her 60's or possibley her early 70's. It WAS way more detail than we needed to learn. I'd like to use some of my quick sketches I've done over the years in that class, but I'm sorry, I don't want a naked 70 year old woman on my walls for everyone to see. <Quiver> A few times we had other models but they were no better, one was like a hippy, didn't shave at all and brought her daughter to class <quiver again>. She was homeschooled she said. She likes to draw me. <NAKED???> Then she brought in her hippy boyfriend, and he posed naked... <ahhhhhquiver>.
K, I'll stop discusting you all.... it's so painful!

Don't dunk the cat in the water!

[olcvisual]

Sixty and seventy year old models ... don't art departments have drawing criteria for selecting models?

[Broacher]

It's the saltpeter that they stick in our watercolour rinse that really got me going.

Or rather, un-going.

[defjoe]

i posed naked before...

'I will become the most powerful Jedi ever!'
'I'm the damn designer, bitches!'

Check out my indie comic book!
www.assassinsguild.net/ (http://www.assassinsguild.net/)

[flashlight]

You know, I know this guy (no, it's not me) who learned to draw the figure from copying hustler magazine. Really.

I am Almost Cool (http://www.peterflaschner.com)

[defjoe]

it's a great tool...really i'm being seriuos here.

'I will become the most powerful Jedi ever!'
'I'm the damn designer, bitches!'

Check out my indie comic book!
www.assassinsguild.net/ (http://www.assassinsguild.net/)

[olcvisual]

Well ... I have Victoria's Secrets catalogs and thought about buying Playboy but either way the details will probably overwhelm me.