Make a drawing of two combined body parts.  This might be two feet crossed over, folded arms or a hand resting on a waist.  Look at the curves and the rhythms set up by those curves.  Look at the muscles and bones under the skin and the tension and energy they give.

I decided, through lack of a model, to draw my own legs crossed at the ankles.  I set up a lamp to help add more dramatic tones.  I also put a white sheet of paper on the floor to take away any distraction from the flooring etc.  A3 charcoal drawing

Doing my first attempt, I felt a little rusty and thought about how it has been since I tried any life drawing.  I think I achieved good chiaroscuro, but the leg and foot don’t have very realistic form and you can’t see evidence of bone or muscle in the legs.  Originally, I had wanted to try other compositions, with crossed hands and arms, and I did get my daughter to take some photographs for me but I couldn’t get a good enough photograph, so I decided to carry on drawing my legs.

A3 charcoal sketch

My second attempt was better,  there is better drawing of the muscle and bone.  I also tied using a putty rubber in this one for the lighter areas and I think this worked well.  The composition is much better too by making it a square, however the white paper showing the unfinished part lets it down.

A3 charcoal drawing

I did a third and final attempt and I think the proportions are better in this one, it has good form and somehow the skin looks more flesh like.  There is good use of chiaroscuro, my only criticism is the proportions of the toes are wrong and they appear too long.  Other than that, I’m happy with it.

Reflection:  How far does your drawing direct the viewers gaze?  Did you manage to retain the tension in the limbs – or do they seem a bit floppy and directionless?  Have you managed to add an extra dimension to what  could otherwise be a technical or academic exercise?

I think I have achieved a good composition and the viewer’s eyes are directed into the composition.  I think I could probably have experimented a bit more by perhaps including more of the legs and used foreshortening.  I think I did retain the tension in the limbs and I don’t think it looks simply like a technical exercise.