This document provides guidance on finding planes and shading in figures. It advises to think of figures as made up of cubic shapes and highlights planes in body parts like the head, foot, and hand. The document also emphasizes the importance of composition, suggesting that the figure should fit comfortably on the page and focus attention through negative space and unusual shading. Examples are provided of figures utilizing space and planes effectively.

1. FINDING & SHADING
PLANES
IN THE FIGURE

2. Think of the figure as a collection of cubic shapes

4. Schematic from
Michelangelo
drawing

5. Planes of the Head

6. Planes of the Head

7. Planes of the foot

8. Planes of the foot

9. Planes of the Hand

11. ALWAYS BE THINKING
ABOUT COMPOSITION!
Do NOT feel obligated to
put the whole figure on the
page
DO consider how the figure
fits comfortably on the page
DO focus on interesting
negative shapes formed
where the figure touches or
comes off the edges of the
page

12. Notice how the
figure very nearly
touches 3 of the
4 sides of the
page

13. Interesting
overlap of
cubic
construction
planes with
unusual
shading,
excellent
composition
allowing the
focus on the
torso
(Krzysztof
Domaradzki)

14. The figure is
poised to exit
the page
LOOK AT
SHADING
AND
ATTENTION
PAID TO
BACKGROUND

15. The
placement of
the figure
forms a
pyramid
shape on the
page making
the negative
space into 2
triangles
(Paul Ruiz)

16. Giacometti

17. Planes of the Head