Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes Volume 1

128 Think Gesture

In Alexander Dobkin’s book Principles of Figure Drawing, there is a chapter on methods of drawing. He begins the chapter by suggesting that by experimenting with different ways of drawing, you will learn which way is best for you. He suggests, however, that no “good artist” abandons all other methods after choosing one particular way, for he may find different methods will be appropriate for different needs or problems. He also suggests that artists are always searching for a better way of saying what they mean. Dobkin lists four methods:

1. Contour drawing. It outlines the form in line. He says the beauty of this method is in its spontaneity. There are no erasures or renderings.

2. Rapid indication of form. I’m going to quote ...