(click to enlarge)
The top is a simple trace of the bottom round. Both rounds were done with no reference so that i can let my imagination push how i want the drawing to feel without inhibition or temptation from photos.
before i started drawing the second round i glanced at ballet lifts and saw what my first draft was missing.
After the first sketch It was suggested that i add stability to the figures so i gave the male a large strut. The angel needed to feel explosive, contrary to my first impression, a swan dive pose wasn’t the best way to approach that. I lifted one of her legs to point like a scorpion tail. Bingo! now we have some life in this girl.
I’ve been spending a lot of time in the gym and as a result a lot of time in front of a mirror watching my body transform from a twig into a living anatomy lesson. I’m more in tune with muscle forms. Once i began drawing this sketch i didn’t approach it from an outer contour but by sculpting the muscles. I quickly realize this is A LOT easier to get the figures to do exactly what you want them to. You immediately notice when a body part isn’t pointing in the direction it should and i was less inclined to make that mistake to begin with. Finally i think the style just looks more understandable.
Barring major changes that pop up I think I’ll start shooting my reference now. then do a final rough before the line drawing. This step helped tremendously and was just a bunch of fun really. the previous drawing gave me the confidence to just draw and left me open to playing with design elements like the curved wings and drapery.
