Action Drawing

Action – When the vital element of action enters into the drawing interest is quickened in the mind of the beholder.

Generally speaking, action in pictures simply drawn is shown most frequently by lines diverging from the horizontal and vertical.

Thus, in Figs. 1 and 2 the lines on the left at the bottom, including the curved ones (which are resting horizontally) convey the impression of rest; whereas, similar lines at the right, being inclined, indicate unrest, or action.

In Fig. 3 none of the lines are at rest; action is shown throughout. In Fig. 4 there is the same divergence from the upright and the level.

For exercise draw objects that convey a sense of action, based on lines similar to those shown here. Beginners may copy these.

Value of Lines – Lines have direction and quality. Quality is of secondary consideration just now. On the correctness of direction will depend the completeness of the impression conveyed.

The eye of the beginner cannot grasp the direction of the lines of an object in action. Therefore, he must depend on copies to assist him in his early efforts.

This gives him practice in expressing action. It will aid him also in his memory work.

Drawing, in its elements, means form, color and action. Not only to the untrained mind, but to many far advanced in the study of art, form and color are subservient to action. If action is absent. interest is transient. Of course the drawing itself does not move but the idea does.

Memory Work

After the simple lines of the action exercises have been learned, they should be adapted by the pupils and connected with little stories and language lessons.

The boys might be permitted to portray boys playing ball.
while the girls could make pictures of children rolling hoops.

The suggestions should be given by the teacher. Afterwards, the most successful efforts may be reproduced on the blackboard.

Suggestions for subjects:

Man running from policeman. White man running from Indian. Indian running from white man. Ship riding before a storm.
Boy chasing a dog.
Dog chasing a boy.

Single Line Action Exercises

Imagination Exercises in Action Drawing – Fig. 5
Make the boy with the bow look like an Indian. Put an arrow in the bow.
Show the wagon, and the boy falling off. Show the first boy standing on the sled.
Show the second boy dragging his sled up hill.
Show the boy with the pail, pumping water into it. Show the boy with the rake gathering hay.

Border Exercise in Action Drawing Fig. 6

In the border below the circle the exercise looks rather difficult. It will be made easy if these directions are followed:

First, draw the guide lines, then draw all the black clots on the hats, first being careful to place them the proper distance apart-each one a little less than half the entire’ width of the border from each other, seven in all. Make the entire drawing about eight inches wide.
Then draw the hats-all seven. Then the arms.
Then their legs in the air. Then their legs on the ground.