Learn to draw by Tissa Hewavitharana

Painting arms and legs

The drawing and painting arms and legs of women comes first. The female figure has more flexible elbows than that of the male. So, we can see in them poses which are not similar.

I will start on their lovely flowing lines and skin textures. The process of water colour painting has a pattern that must always be respected. The lighter colour must always be reserved, the dark colours outline the highlights and light cannot be painted over dark tones.

To start with, I have shown the basic colours applied on the hands and legs to get the correct skin texture.

Figure 1: Smooth women's arms. You will notice that I have painted six different poses of women's arms. Observe and study the shape of fingers, the curves and bends.

Figure 2: It shows you six poses in different shades of colour highlights and texture could all be varied in their different movements. To paint the arms on Figure 2(B) to get the correct shading at first the drawing paper should be wet and a pale basic colour could be applied according to their skin. It can be burnt sienna with a slight touch of black, or yellow ochre with a mixture of permanent red.

Figure 2A -On the right also shows men's arms, with curved contours. The first coating of paint is applied with a light colour.

Figure 2B - Shading emphasises the colour textures to give the correct muscle formation of a healthy strong man. The figure is outlined by drawing simple geometric shapes with a thin nib and the brush strokes blend into the colours giving a dark shading of burnt amber to obtain the colour of the flesh. This is the best way to give relief to the highlights of the skin.

Continuous practising and experimenting on different drawing paper will give you positive results.

The paper to be used could be Kent or Whatman 150 grams and No. 5 or 6 paint brush with soft hair and No. 2 brush for minor details.