10 second tip: Lean the body

Today’s 10 second tip is about a simple, but very effective trick to improve the appeal and dynamic of your poses: Lean the body!

Have you ever noticed that a single line itself can express an emotion?

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When you use more lines you can already express pretty complex stuff. Notice how it gets more interesting if you vary angle and flow.
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Keep this in mind when you construct a pose. Imagine your character as a stick figure and think about how you can make the few remaining lines more interesting. The easiest way that will guarantee a more dynamic pose is to lean the body. See how these poses improve:


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Why is that? Well, it forces you to make a statement: Is the character drawn to something or repulsed? Plus: You get rid of twinning, you are forced to vary angles and negative spaces, and you get a more irregular outline. All this can result in a more energetic, more appealing pose.

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Of course there are exceptions to this rule. Keep the body straight if you have a reason for it (like a stiff pose or a strong upward motion).

And even then, you could always tilt the camera (think of superman’s horizontal flight which is rarely depicted horizontal).

 

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Moddy Todd

It’s actually a great and useful piece of info. I am glad that you just shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

charles

man, what a difference that makes. I never would have thought.

gerard

Wow that makes a humongous difference. Cool

Sakley

Like the pictures

ProFace

Aw, this was an extremely good post. The subtle difference makes all the difference as it is in a lot of art!

Harriett D.

I was just looking through the 10 Second Tips category and found this one from a long time ago. It’s great! So true I’m going to try it out. Thanks for the reminder.

Alissa Holden

It’s an awesome post and peeps will
get benefit from it I am sure.