ABSTRACT
Whether you are drawing from a model or from the imagination (as in animation), you should always be aware that you are not drawing bones, muscles, and cloth, or a model sheet drawing – you are drawing an action. Think of the figure as having gone from a “normal” relaxed pose to the gesture you are drawing. Attach, in your imagination, a rubber band at all joints at that normal position. Any part of the figure that moves will have to be moved under the strain of stretching the rubber band. Try to draw the effort it takes to stretch into the change of pose. Feel that if the figure relaxed it would snap back to normal. That is called “tension.” Being aware of whether it is an extensor (a muscle that pushes out or extends) or a flexor (one that pulls in or contracts) may help, as long as you keep in mind that it is not the muscle you are interested in but rather the idea or motivation behind it all. Look for the tension between foot and foot, elbow and elbow, or any part that pulls away from or pushes toward another part, or twists or any kind. Try this, but don't think of it as an experiment, think of it as one of the main weapons in your arsenal of drawing helps.
