Monday, August 29, 2011

Character and Personality

Begin by selecting people whose movements are lively and animated. Don't draw just anyone who crosses your line of vision. Instead, single out those who strike you as being interesting characters. Observe a single figure; take him or her apart mentally and imagine what kind of a person he or she is. Then decide whether or not you like the look of the person. Whatever your reaction, accept it and use it as the basis of your illustration. This approach will enable you to effectively define and convey the character and personality of your subject.
So says Paul Hogarth in Drawing People (1971), Chapter 3: Drawing People in Public Places, p. 23. The image is from that chapter and is entitled Mid-morning tea at Bentley's, Westmorland Street, Dublin 1969 and is delightful.

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