This demonstration captures the energy of a runner in motion. Notice that this figure is captured in midstride. The weight of the body that has just been carried by the left foot is now being transferred to the right foot, with both feet above the pavement. Remember to align the features throughout the drawing process to ensure the accuracy of the form. The light source is from the upper right, causing some of the lower left areas of the features to be in shadow.
Paper: 12" × 9" (30cm × 23cm) medium-texture drawing paper
Pencils: 2B pencil
Other Supplies: kneaded eraser
Optional Supplies: 12" × 9" (30cm × 23cm) medium-texture sketch paper, lightbox, masking tape
With a 2B pencil, sketch a horizontal line at the base of the right heel and another horizontal line for the top of the head. Sketch another horizontal line for the base of the chin, which is slightly less than one-sixth the distance between the two previous lines. Sketch a single curved line that will represent the right side of the face and the torso. Add a circle for the hip region that is connected to the previous line.
Continuing with a 2B pencil, sketch the remaining form of the head along with lines for the back of the torso, shoulders and upper legs. The lines for the left leg are sketched as a continuation of the lines of the torso.
Sketch circles for the knees and add lines for the lower legs, ending with straight lines as the soles of the shoes. Add a short horizontal line above the lowest line to allow for the proper placement of the left shoe. Add circles for the placement of the hands.
Sketch lines for the arms. Add circles for the placement of the elbows. Block in the forms of the feet. Add a line of balance down from the pit of the neck to the pavement. Notice its placement in relation to the torso and the arms and legs. Add a horizontal line below the right heel line for the placement of the cast shadow on the pavement.
Develop the outer form and clothes of the subject. Add lines for the placement of facial features and lines for the fingers with a 2B pencil.
Erase unwanted lines if working directly on the drawing paper, or transfer the sketch you want onto drawing paper using a 2B pencil. Add details such as shadow lines and facial features.
Using a 2B pencil, add the lighter values over the entire figure.
Build up the pencil lines to add the dark and middle values.
Josh
Graphite pencil on drawing paper
12" × 9" (30cm × 23cm)
With a 2B pencil, continue adding values and add the details including the shadow under the figure. Lighten by lifting graphite with a kneaded eraser if necessary. Sign the front and write the date on the back of your finished drawing.