Byzantine Iconography Series 6: Drawing Seated Figures

Explore drawing seated figures in Byzantine iconography, focusing on depth, transfer lines, and relational perspective that project the figure toward the viewer; practice with a four-head, three-quarter figure.

Start with a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, then draw angled lines to place the head, torso, and depth for seated figure, emphasizing movement toward the viewer over anatomy.

Study how garments and face are rendered on the three-quarter figure of St. John the theologian, using vertical perspective to project the icon toward the viewer.

Examine reclining and seated figures in Byzantine iconography and how vertical relative perspective twists them toward the viewer, shaping head-to-feet proportions in icons of Christ and the Theotokos.

Establish vertical and horizontal axes to orient the figure, build a three-quarters head with a twisted body radiating toward the viewer, and measure sections from eye level.

Begin with the head and face, using rhythmic circular lines to guide the eye toward harmony. Shape garments and folds with volume, halos, and Theotokos with three star signs.

Study the burial of Christ on the epitaph, depicting the body taken down. Convey life with angled head and arms, contrasting with static depictions while drawing.

Learn to build a seated figure with accurate proportions using a three-quarter head and three-quarter body width, guiding the torso with an s-curve and positioning shoulders, arms, and hands.

Learn to draw the body outline neatly for Byzantine iconography seated figures, then add garments and the face.

Draw garment and loincloths around the legs to create volume and plasticity, add the crucifixion marks on hands and feet, and shade the closed-eyes face to convey burial of Christ.

Apply curved lines to render volume and plasticity around the legs and loincloths, sketch the crucifixion marks on hands and feet, and shade the face to convey burial of Christ.

Explore kneeling stances in Byzantine iconography, from prostrate to upright, and their meanings—worship, veneration, supplication, mourning—through illustrated examples and a basic kneeling figure drawing.

Draw the access line and curved lines from the head to map the figure's motion, then build the basic head and body structure using the Boeing sequence in three-quarters.

Refine the hair and place garments, showing how drapery reveals the hand and leg shapes. Create leg volume with curved lines and sketch the basic median figure.