Comments on: Help me learn to draw [a bit more] like Jason Polan

Question: Help me learn to draw [a bit more] like Jason Polan

stuboo — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:24:38 -0800

Is there a name for this style of drawing? And can you suggest a good course of action I could take to learning it?

Other than "practice it" what advice do you have? I love this simple style of drawing and would really enjoy learning it.

By: grumblebee

grumblebee — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:29:50 -0800

I don't know the name (if there is one), but I do it sometimes. For me, it's the drawing equivalent of free writing. I don't edit or erase (I do it with pen or marker); I do it quickly; I never lift my pen from the paper.

By: loiseau

loiseau — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:32:12 -0800

Looks like gesture drawing -- it's practiced in life drawing classes. Quick, bold strokes, and the model changes poses very frequently.

By: owtytrof

owtytrof — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:38:51 -0800

Gesture drawing is what I thought of, as well.

By: txsebastien

txsebastien — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:47:29 -0800

You might take a look at Nicolaides' classic The Natural Way to Draw. Some think it may be too difficult for a beginner, but I think it's worth the read and trying the exercises.

By: DarkForest

DarkForest — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:57:34 -0800

I'd say contour drawing. There's an exercise that could be called "blind contour drawing" in various books like The Natural Way to Draw. You look at your subject, but not at the paper as you draw. It can yield results like some of those drawings.

By: o0dano0o

o0dano0o — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:09:42 -0800

Might want to check out the Zen of Seeing.

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:17:41 -0800

I'd call it a loose sketch.

By: psyche7

psyche7 — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:22:39 -0800

2nd contour drawing. When I learned it, blind was the default.

By: nimsey lou

nimsey lou — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:29:34 -0800

as an art teacher, I 3rd contour drawing.

By: chase

chase — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:40:23 -0800

Books that I like, that show step by step how to draw similar to your example:

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Cartooning But Were Afraid to Draw by Christopher Hart.

The Cartoonist's Workbook by Robin Hall

By: po

po — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:46:23 -0800

Contour drawing, most definitely. It's fun and easy, and can be done blind or non-blind.

You're looking to find the prominent lines in the subject - the outline, the large wrinkles and sharp contrasts and overlappings and corners that define the volume best. You're not paying attention to much texture or shading, unless it's so prominent that it defines the subject in some way. (That said, as with all styles, contour drawing can go from extremely simple to very intensive/detailed/ornate.) But basically, if you want to try it for yourself, I'd suggest blind contour first (no need to buy a book just to learn this one thing):

Find your subject, sit down with pencil and paper, and look at your subject. Find your beginning line - probably an outside line, and position your pencil on the paper such that your subject should fit on the paper (big paper is good) from where you start. Then, don't look at your paper any more until you're finished. Make your eyes follow the line, slowly, and try to get your hand to move the pencil at the same rate and in the same motion. Don't lift the pencil from the paper - even if you catch a glimpse. The results will probably look -awful- to you, at first (or they may look really cool, in a Picasso-esque sort of way), but the point of the exercise at first is to train your eye to see the outlines, not your pencil.

From there, just practice and experiment, and you can try non-blind contours as well, where you can look from the subject to your drawing and back to keep it from going too wonky. The requirement of keeping the pencil on the paper is also not a hard-and-fast rule, and once your eye is trained, you can do whatever you like.

Have fun!

By: clearlydemon

clearlydemon — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:53:55 -0800

I like The Natural way to Draw, but I agree it can be a bit boring and repetitive. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards might be better for a beginner.

Also, everything that po said.

By: theiconoclast31

theiconoclast31 — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:08:47 -0800

Contour drawing for sure. Go to a public spot where you can easily observe people (park, subway) and sketch people quickly. This works very well for me because 1) people move pretty quickly and 2) I'm nervous that someone will catch me looking, so I don't waste time on excess strokes and I don't glance at the paper too much.

By: cptnrandy

cptnrandy — Thu, 08 May 2008 08:53:52 -0800

I'd call it "thurberesk"

By: miffed

miffed — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:48:19 -0800

Contour drawing.

Get a big pad of newsprint and a soft pencil. Move your whole arm as you draw, not just your hand.