One of the new art ideas I learned from the figure drawing class I've taken recently is this - a drawing with good shapes results in a good drawing. Conversely, a drawing with bad shapes results in a bad drawing. Even if one can draw anatomy, but without good shape design, the drawing usually ends up a bad drawing.
Here's the breakdown of my drawing process: First, the simple shape of the gesture using a basic construction as the lay-in. Second, using the Reilly method on the head and adding some anatomical marking on the body as a guide. Third, drawing and defining the shadow shapes while being mindful of the anatomy. Then finally, adding in the whites for the lit areas and continue the rendering to the finish.
Reference photo of the model is from Croquis Cafe Photo Archive. (www.croquis.com)
