Gesture Drawing: A Story-Based Approach - Paperback

by April Connors (Author)

This instructional drawing book is intended to guide the reader through a story-telling based approach to gesture drawing, utilizing different techniques and exercises that encourage and develop creative problem solving as it relates to observational studies. This book clearly outlines a work flow and process with a simple exercise program that encourages the artist to ask questions and create work that engages not only their audience but themselves. Rich illustrations are included throughout that depict this workflow and also different drawing and mark-making techniques, and how to apply the exercises throughout the course of the book. Included are video drawing tutorials and examples.

Key Features

The approach to drawing as explained in the book is broken down into simple, clearly defined concepts. Each chapter outlines a further step in the drawing process, ending with a technique or exercise the reader can then execute to begin applying each concept to their work.

Ample amount of illustrations drawn exclusively for this book or taken directly from the author's physical classes to clearly show the reader individual concepts, exercises, techniques, ideas, etc., so the reader may feel comfortable enough to follow the program.

Each chapter includes a chapter objective as well as a summary and ample amount of illustrations which relate to the chapter objective.

Key Terms will also be highlighted and defined so that they may be referenced throughout the book without causing unnecessary confusion.

Companion video tutorials that show the reader different topics and exercises for reference.

Author Biography

April Connors is a figure drawing instructor and freelance illustrator based in Los Angeles, California. She has been teaching figure drawing for the last six years, both privately and through established institutions to a wide variety of artists at all levels and from different disciplines. From the professional to the novice student. She has taught private classes in Mexico and impromptu drawing lectures/demos in Hong Kong, countries in which her illustrations have been exhibited as part of solo and group shows. Her selfpublished booklet, "Toasty Biscuits" (a small compilation of drawings), was also released during her time in Hong Kong.

April's Los Angeles based drawing classes include: Gesture Drawing for Animation and Figure Drawing 1 at Gnomon School of VFX in Hollywood; Model Drawing (sophomore, junior, and senior levels) for the Fashion department at Otis College of Art and Design; Illustrative Storytelling From Life at 3Kicks Studio in Pasadena; private drawing and painting classes at her studio. From 2012-2015 she also administered an uninstructed figure drawing workshop at her studio, part of the Keystone Fine Art Studios complex. The uninstructed figure drawing sessions followed in the tradition of workshops such as "The Drawing Club", which placed an emphasis on characterization and story-telling.

April's academic work focuses on developing a drawing philosophy and method that places a focal point on storytelling and autodidactism, while being flexible enough to grow and change and be further developed by other artists; in this way she wishes to inspire an open and inquisitive dialogue between not only the artist and their audience, but between artists of different media and disciplines as well, something she fears is being lost in younger generations.