There is a specific skill in attempting to capture the sense of movement in a still image like a painting. It’s a problem that, for artists who specialize in pet portraits, are only too familiar with. Furthermore, if done properly, it will greatly add to the potency of the image being created. It is an aquired skill, and one that needs time to be able to master naturally but, for an artist, it’s sure worth the effort.
The particular instant of the movement that you want to depict is an important factor in getting it right. As an illustration, the evidently tiny modification to the position of an arm can add to the way an action is perceived. It is more often than not better to avoid showing the moment of impact of, lets say, a hammer hitting an anvil. A much better choice is the point just before the anvil is struck, capturing the pent-up tension in the body and arm is a much more effective way to show the anticipation of the movement. It is this anticipation of what’ll happen next that leads the viewer to imagine the movement being portrayed, you effectively fire the spectators imagination to produce the motion in their head for you, the painting is only the catalyst.
Whether you are working with people or animals, knowing how the body moves and how muscles tense is a crucial factor in getting it right, for this, observation is the key. Practising speed drawing is a useful way to grow your knowledge of your subject and develop your accuracy in drawing. Practice this frequently, and don’t be put off with early mistakes, technique can only come with time and patience. The ability to observe swiftly and accurately is vital for the artist and it’s a skill that should be developed in any artist.
Tags: action, art, movement, painting, pet portraits