How To Draw Movement
Movement can bring a sense of life and vibrancy to any drawing. It can make a picture jump off the page, drawing the eye of the viewer and creating an impression that might last. It doesn’t take any fancy supplies or skills, anyone can draw a picture with motion. Here is an easy guide to learning how to make a drawing really move.
Create an Impression of Speed
Making something look like its moving fast is one of the easiest effects to create in a drawing. All one has to do is use curvature to express speed. Any shape can be used, be it a straight line or a circle, by having it form a curve as it moves across the page. This can be done by simply adding curves to the edges of a shape, or it can be done by placing shapes closer together near one end and father apart near the other end. Both of these create the illusion of speed and the farther apart or more curved the shapes, the faster it looks.
Include Directional Tips
Using directional tips in a drawing is a great way to express movement. This can be done with stylized arrow shapes, or simply by adding curving lines that create the impression of a path of motion. Directional tips can be used to show where something is going and to give the image a sense of motion. The aspects of these tips are that they can be used to point in any direction and to express any degree of speed.
Show a Trail of Movement
Drawing a trail in a drawing is a great way to give the impression of motion. This can be done by adding a line of repeating shapes or by creating an arc of shapes that trail off away from the main object. This helps to create the sense that the object is taking up speed, or that it has come from a distance. It also creates a pattern for the eye of the viewer to follow and to appreciate the motion.
Use a Highlight to Show Momentum
When an object is gaining momentum it has a bright spot that appears in front of it. This can be drawn by adding a bright spot of color to the shape in the direction of motion. This can really help to give the impression that the object is about to leap off the page. In addition, adding a line or curve with that same color can enhance the effect and make the object look like it is actually in motion.
Incorporate Text
Text can also be used to help create the feeling of motion in a drawing. Instead of creating a single shape that’s in motion, a text block can be used to mimic the text or words of a story. Different words or phrases can be placed around the page in such a way that they appear to be flowing within the drawing. This can create the sense of a narrative and add some interest to the drawing.
Use Color and Shading
Using a variety of color and shading techniques can also help to express motion. Lighter colors can be used to give the impression of faster motion, while darker colors are best for a more subtle effect. In addition, different shades of color can be used to express a range of motion. A few dark lines can bring a sense of speed and suddenness, while a few lighter lines can help to create a more gradual motion.
Add Implied Lines
Implied lines are great for expressing motion in a drawing. A line can be drawn from one area of the drawing to another to help create the sense that one element is radiating energy or connecting to another element. This is a great way to add some life to a drawing and to draw the eye of the viewer.
Vary the Size of Elements
Varying the size of elements can help to create the sense that something is moving. For instance, making an object larger as it comes toward the viewer can give the impression of motion, while making the same object smaller can give the impression that it is going away from the viewer. This is an easy and effective way to create the impression of movement and to bring a sense of animation to a drawing.
Creating movement in a drawing is easy and can bring a lot of life to a picture. Whether its a line, shape, or text clip, anything can be used to express motion. All it takes is some simple manipulation of size, color and texture, and the drawing will have a sense of energy and life.
