Rhythm In Drawing

Hello everyone, I welcome you all on blossomyLeaf again! Today, I want to talk about the "Rhythm" in a drawing. The feeling of Rhythm is of tremendous importance in figure drawing. Unfortunately it is one of the easiest things to miss. In music we feel tempo and rhythm. In drawing it is much the same. Considered technically, Rhythm is the flow of continuous line resulting in a sense of unity and grace.

We call a rhythmic emphasis on a line or contour picking up. The line of an edge observed across the form, will be picked up and continued to and along other contours. The next few drawings may serve as examples. Look for this phenomenon of rhythmic lines, and you will find its beauty in all natural forms- in animals, leaves, grasses, flowers,  sea shells and in the human figure.

We are conscious of the rhythm that pulses through the universe- beginning with the atom and ending with the stars. Rhythm suggests repetition, flow cycles, waves and all are related to a unified plan or purpose. The feeling of rhythm in drawing , aside from the abstract, is a follow through in line, just as it is in the movements of various sports. A bowler or any other athlete must master the smooth must follow through to develop rhythm. Follow your lines through the solid form, and watch them becoming a part of rhythmic plan. When a drawing looks clumsy,  the chances are that the trouble lies in its lack of follow through. Clumsiness in action, and in drawing, is lack of rhythm that results in a jerky, uneven and disorganised movement.

There are some basic lines of rhythm for which we can be constantly on the alert. The first is called the "hogarth's" line of beauty. It is a line that gracefully curves in one direction and then reverses itself. In the human form, it is present everywhere. It is like the letter S in variations.

A second line of rhythm is the spiral, a line starting at the point and swinging around that point in a  spreading circular movement. This rhythm of line is apparent in sea shells, a whirlpool or a pinwheel. 

The third line of rhythm is called the parabola, which is a sweep of line continually bending to a greater curve, like the course of a skyrocket. The three lines are the basis of the most ornamentation. These can also be made the basis of pictorial compositions. They seem to be so thoroughly apart, of all graceful movements  that they should be  given great consideration in all drawing of movement. The lines of rhythm in animals are easily observed and hence easily comprehended. 

Rhythm may be forceful,  as in great waves beating upon the coast, or gentle and flowing, as in the ripples of the pond. Recurrent rhythm moves and stirs us, or gives us a feeling of restfulness and composure, pleasing to the senses. The so called streamline is a rhythm applied to ugly contour. The commercial application of this principle, has been eminently successful. The lines of our trains and ships and motorcars, our planes and our home appliances have been built upon this concept first recognised, in nature- in dolphin, and in all other living beings designed for swift motion. 

How to's: Just swing your pencil very lightly at first. Feel for the rhythm and flow of contour. Never mind if your drawing seems to get grey or messy. Best to use a short stub of a pencil then hold under hand between thumb and the first finger. Add heavy lines last.

That's it. I hope you enjoyed and got to know something very interesting and essential in drawing! See you real soon! :)