Stairstepping

This isn't a post about how to walk down stairs, don't worry!  By stairstepping, I mean a way to see subforms on any shape.  This way of seeing forms is based of the simple shape of stairs, and when taken to a more sophisticated level resembles the ridges and steps in a shale rock face.  One of the artists who most clearly uses this idea is the american illustrator Dean Cornwell. His drawings show this very clearly, and he uses this in his paintings as well, but blends the simple geometry more to create a more finished realistic look.

The basic concept is to imagine a tubular or other basic solid and then carve steps into it that will be in shadow. This technique is great for all sorts of subjects such as trees, rock, buildings and the shapes on an animal or human.

Below are some of the basic steps of this technique as applied to a human figure:

Figures drawn, and basic outline of steps drawn in line

Steps filled in with shadow valueThe shadow areas are blended where the edges are softHighlights and smaller details are added

Comments

[N8 Main]

Great to see your processes behind figure construction. It is very informative and also nice to see how it was used by greats like Cornwell and Leyendecker. Enjoy your work.... hope to see more of these short instructions!

[Craig Elliott]

Thanks,
I have been getting a great response from these, so I'll keep going, and eventually put a book together that expands on all these ideas.

Enjoy!
-Craig

[=shane white=]

Hey so cool to see a blog from you, man. I never get tired of looking at your work.
As always inspirational.

=s=

[Val]

I'm really enjoying this series of posts -- good stuff!

[David Colman]

Thanx for sharing Craig....I use this idea and never knew it had a name..finally an identity for my madness.

Yes yes.....do more...more I tell you..ha ha ha!