Human and Animal Figures Painting Practical

Notes
3
HUMAN AND ANIMAL FIGURES

We see innumerable living beings roaming on earth, water and in air. They are either
male or female. Consequently, they are physiologically different.
On close observation, we find beauty, delicacy, beautiful body shape and flexibility
in the physique of every living being. The structure of every living being is propor-
tionate. This facilitates normal movement and their ability to perform their routine
easily.
Man is the best of all living beings. That’s why man has superior emotions. The
artist also expresses those super emotions through his paintings.
Students of art should keep all these facts in mind while exercising paintings.

OBJECTIVES
After studying and practicing this lesson, the learner will be able to:
! get the required information about structure, measurement and proportion of
the living beings;
! draw simple sketches with lines;
! sketch human and animal figure; and
! draw human structure of any measurement.

Necessary equipments/stationery
! Thick cardboard or drawing board
! Drawing paper (chart paper or cartridge paper)

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Painting Practical Human and Animal Figures

! Pencil HB, 2B, 4B, 6B

! Eraser
! Colour
! Brush etc.
Notes
Human Structure, Measurement and Proportion
Human as well as animal body is made of bones, muscles and skin. It undergoes
changes from childhood time to old age. It is, therefore, necessary to have all
information about all the organs.
Normally, human body (from head to toes) is divided into 7½ parts. The top most
part of the body (head to chin) is one part. The whole body is measured on the
basis on this unit. Followings are the measurement of the body:
(a) Head to Naval - 3 units
(b) Naval to Knee - 2 units
(ii) Knee to feet - 2 "
(iii) Width of feet - ½ "
Besides this division, the face has also been divided into 4 units— ! 1st unit:-
Head and hair ! 2nd unit: forehead; ! 3rd unit : Nose and ! 4th unit : nose to
below chin.
The full length of the arm is divided into 3½ units as follows:
! Shoulder to elbow : 1½ units
! Lower arm : 1½ units
! Hand : ½ unit
This width of the two shoulders should be 2 units. The length of the foot should be
1 unit. This measurement facilitates drawing the human structure (see fig. no. 1).

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 Human and Animal Figures Painting Practical

Notes

Fig. no. 1

Straight line Sketching

Sketching with straight lines is called straight line sketching. Straight line sketching
works as skeleton in human body. Straight line sketching is important in drawing the
entire human structure and animal structure.
Students can draw the sketch of any size/measurement either by adding or reduc-
ing. The form can be adjusted according to the size of the paper. (Fig. 2)

Making Sketches
Sketching means using lines after scaning the objects/people and also using imagi-
nation. Use dark pencil (4B, 6B) for this purpose.
Since human being and animals are moving constantly one should observe these
movements and try to capture the movements in lines. The artist has to depend on
his memory and perception to depict it in drawing. This activity will need excep-
tional coordination of wrist and fingers. Increase the speed of use of lines.

Human and Animal Figures

Sketching and straight line sketching are very important in drawing the human and
animal figures. A student would become competent to draw these figures effectively
if practiced regularly.

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Painting Practical Human and Animal Figures

Notes

Fig. no. 2

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 Human and Animal Figures Painting Practical
Fig. 3 explains how to draw a horse. At the first stage it is the straight line sketch in
which a skeleton like picture has been drawn with the help of certain lines or circles.
At the second stage it has been provided to form the body of the horse, (face and
feet etc.) Later, at the end, muscles and all other parts of the body have been
formed with minutest details. Thus, the picture of the horse can be completed with
pencil shade or colours. See Fig. No. 4 and 5. Notes

Fig. no. 3

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Painting Practical Human and Animal Figures

Notes

Fig. no. 4

Fig. no. 5

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Notes

Fig. no. 6

While drawing human figure similar steps and precautions have to be taken. Any
shape/structure can be made even by sketching. See Fig. No. 6. The student can
ask somebody to sit in front of him/her according to his convenience. Observe the
position of the model before he starts sketching. He should keep the measure-
ment in mind. He should measure the face in relation to entire body.
He can make a composition with two/three human figures. See Fig. no. 7.

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Painting Practical Human and Animal Figures

Notes

Fig. no. 7

Summary
The artist paints to express human emotions such as happiness, anger, anguish,
peace, innocence and beauty. The student should try to express all such emotions
to make the piece of art complete in itself.
Animal structure is different from the human figures/structures. Therefore, he should
portray similar shape and structure. He can become a better artist if he regularly
practises.
MODEL QUESTIONS
1. Draw a figure of a horse and complete by shading it with pencil.
2. Draw any pet animal.
3. Draw human figures likes those of members of your family or friends.
4. Draw a human figure as per measurements.

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Human and Animal Figures Painting Practical

Notes

INDIAN DANCER
By K.K. Hebbar

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Painting Practical Human and Animal Figures

Notes

CAT
By Ram Gopal

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