Dynamism

Exhibitions that deal with the Renaissance period often include figure study drawings. Most were done as practice or preliminary studies for paintings or murals intended for churches or cathedrals. Designed to be viewed from a distance the poses are often exaggerated with bodies twisted into all manner of extreme positions.

Male Nude, oil pastel on toned paper, 8 1/2" X 12 1/2", 2015

The difficulty encountered by the model in these situations is obvious but the artist also faces a test. Gone are the familiar conventions of a seated or reclining pose. Awhile back at a group figure session the model in the above drawing held this pose for thirty minutes. This particular model takes his craft seriously and works hard to perfect and hold seemingly impossible poses. He may be onto something. Perhaps I should seek out some cathedral commissions.