JaxPad Forum Topic - help with clothing.

R.F. Tigermode

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:01:17 -0000

Bridgman's "Drawing the Draped Figure" is probably the most basic breakdown of different folds you could ever hope to wish for. The book categorizes folds into seven 'laws' and even goes so far as to apply the types of folds based on the anchor points of the body (knee, elbow, bust line for women, etc.) At a ridiculously inexpensive $4.95, you'll get far more than your money's worth.

Drakenhart

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:47:25 -0000

Hitting a craft store (or walmart even) can tag you scraps. These are bits at the end of a bolt of cloth that they can't really sell. So they'll mark them down. Go grab some differen thickness and types and use them as practice by draping themn different things. ;)

Tym

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:30:59 -0000

the hogarth book is indeed an excellent recommendation. also to remember (i know you'll hate me for this): different clothing acts differently. crushed velvet (even of the exact same color) looks totally different from kakhi, or denim, or cotton, or anything else. that's why observing people in real life is great (or, for more exotic stuffs, try a Renfair). there also exists, in some communities, artist groups who meet once a week for figure drawing - the only difference is that these groups use /costumed/ models. something to look for, at least. barring that, buy some remnants from the local fabric store -- all different types, patterns, etc. then drape them up and study them, just like the old masters!

T-Tiger

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:07:47 -0000

I was looking for tutorials on this not long ago. I found this tutorial in a simple google search http://www.polykarbon.com/tutorials/clothes/clothes1.htm which was simple, but helpful. It also makes a reference to Hogarth's book Seth mentioned.. so I'd say that's a pretty good source too!

Seth Desmoen

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 05:56:20 -0000

as far as clothing goes, the best athority is Hogarth's "Dramatic Wrinkles and Drapery", its the best (of very few) book on the subject. the best general advice I can give to supplement UndyingSong's excellent recommendations (nothing beats observation, and thinking of it as skin is a great idea) would be to find the lines of stress in the fabric. most fabric will have an anchor point(s) at the part of the body pulling the item away from the rest of the body (shoulder, beltline, knees) and the folds will eminate away from these points, like if you pick up the corner of a big sheet and pull on it. You can use this to your advantage to give a sense of movement to your figures, since by controlling the direction the folds move and where they converge you can tell the viewer what direction parts of the body are moving in. For example, if someone is running away from the viewer, as they push off their right foot they push forward with their right shoulder, pulling the fabric taught and creating a pattern wrinkles moving outward from that right shoulder to the rest of the shirt. This is only one simplified example, but the point is that there is rhyme and reason behind the patterns that form in any sort of fabric or drapery, and if you understand the physics of the system you can accurately depict the situation you desire. If you think of a more specific question about clothing folds I might be able to give you a better answer, but otherwise the best I can do is suggest the Hogarth book. hope that helps

UndyingSong

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 02:11:40 -0000

Eee, YAY I was helpful. C:! You should post your results somewhere, so I can see them! : D Pleeease?

Crowe Basalt

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 02:47:53 -0000

awesome! i didn't even think of it that way- i always see the clothing as a totally separate thing from the body. so that might be part of it. i'll also try your exercise when i get a day off. thank you so much!

UndyingSong

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 02:27:24 -0000

Mm, I'd say an effective way of looking at the clothed figure in general is by treating it as if it has 'loose skin' instead of something entirely separate from the body it is on. Trying to mentally separate it from the wearer can make it look stiff. It is a part of the character you are drawing; it moves and bends with the figure just like their skin would. :0 As far as exercises go, perhaps keep the above in mind during a trip to the mall (or other public place thing..college campus, etc.) with your sketchbook. Quickly doodle the people you see as they walk by, paying attention to how their clothing reacts as they move. Hope this helps !

Crowe Basalt

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 03:14:15 -0000

mainly, how to draw clothing or fabric on a figure and have it look like clothing or fabric. what are some good exercises for this? this is one of my main irritants when drawing a full-figure- the clothing looks stiff and awkward.