The Advantage of Drawing from Imagination.

Michael Whynot. Leg study. Red chalk.

I am posting a leg study done this morning in red chalk. Once again, this was done from imagination. I have been away from drawing the live model for some time now, but I am finding that I still retain my basic understanding of the human form and how it is constructed. I will soon go back to the live model to make sure that I am not missing the many nuances that go hand in hand with changes in viewpoint, lighting and individual body shapes.

I believe this ability to draw from imagination is a necessity if an artist wants to move on from portraiture to multiple figure works, where having live models pose for the composition could be daunting. Drawing from imagination allows us the freedom to explore themes and poses before committing to live models to capture nuance.

The human form offers incredible possibilities in terms of its movement and multiple figures make these possibilities nearly infinite. Imagination allows us to explore these infinite variables of composition. In short, the ability to draw from imagination is the key to the creative process.

Male Torso Study In Motion.

Michael Whynot. Male torso study in motion, 2013. Red chalk.

Drawing the human form in motion can be challenging. The figure above was drawn in fifteen minutes from imagination. A convincing rendering needs to take many things into consideration: gesture, point of view, light source, anatomy. These can all be set up in the studio with a model and props to help them maintain the pose, but it is expensive, both in terms of time and money. For initial studies, drawing from imagination can be the best option. Anatomy, light and shadow can be refined with the aid of a model after you actually have something.

I believe that creativity can wither with disuse. Too much copying of nature can be as detrimental as not enough. The artist must balance the two. Use your imagination daily; allow creativity to grow.