THE IDEA
Taking the time to rest, to yearn for that moment just for yourself, all to yourself.
WHAT I WANT TO EXPRESS
I wanted a gentle pause, a rest that isn’t quite complete. Maybe on the edge of a sofa or a bed. Both languid and awake. A woman, but I only want to see a part of her. To understand and, above all, to share what she is experiencing. Her legs will be enough.
This pause came from a session with a model, and I can’t share any reference images with you. If you’d like to send me photos for a future step-by-step, feel free to DM them to me on Instagram.
MATERIALS
As usual, I use very basic tools that you can find in any art supply store. It’s not about saving money; it’s just easier to focus on your drawing with simple things. Here, I’ll be using a small Muji sketchbook (17 x 25 cm) with thin recycled paper. I love its smooth texture and cream color. For the fine pen, I used: UNI — Micron / 01. Truth be told, it’s still my favorite marker. It fits perfectly in the hand, and the tip and ink have excellent longevity.
STEP 1
I start directly with the foot, as I’ve positioned it so that it’s at the center of what I’m going to draw. It’s important to keep in mind the size and placement of the rest of the silhouette on the page, but here, I’m really focused on quickly visualizing the drawing in my mind. I begin with the top part of the foot and move down to the big toe. Then, I mark each toe one by one. They are both tense and relaxed. You can either draw them in sequence, one after the other, or mark small lines to find the rhythm and the more or less regular spacing between each toe. It’s up to you.
STEP 2
To continue, I hesitated whether to draw the leg, but instinctively, I prefer to draw the arch of the foot to mark the full size of the foot. It will occupy the center of the composition. So I go back up, noting the curve and finishing with the heel.
