Action: ok, so you've mastered the typical standing figure and now you want them to actualy fight and move. The key here is the stick figure and the line of motion. Lot's of artist (myself included once) got all caught up in the clothes and muscles and details waaaaay to early in the drawing. The key to a good action pose is a strong foundation and the stick figure will help us with that.

Pre-Ste 16216r1718q p: Stick Figure Hero!

This is as complicated as you should get when making a stick figure...stay fast and loose. Make little circles to show where the joints and head are. Don't worry about fingers and toes. Just make a solid stick man.

Step 1: Stick figure set-up

Here I got a JohnWoo set-up. The character is crouched down behind a bar ready to jump out and fight Gunz-a-blazin'. I just concentrate on making the gesture believable and dynamic.

Step 2: How do I make it Dynamic?

The first thing I draw (and I shoulda shown this first) is the Line of motion. This line is a smooth curve that goes from the top of the characters head, through the body via the spine and out . I build the stick figure on this line.

Step 3: Fleshing it out

In my 2 prior tutorials I show you how to draw body parts using balls, cones and cylinders. I just posted another tutorial on Foreshortening..check those out for help on this step.

Keep the integrity of the stickfigure and lightly work in the body shapes.Keep fast and loose..don't press to hard with the pencil here.

Step 4: Finishing up:

Use a kneaded eraser (see Materials) and blot away your lighter support lines while darkening in the lines you wish to keep. Voila

Punching

BAD PUNCH:
It's not horrible, it just lacks a certain force. Even though the form is good on both characters there's something that needs to be done to show this punch packed a wallop.

GOOD PUNCH:
This is MUCH better. The force of the punch is shown in the shape of an arrow. The horizontal line coming from the attacker and the lines of the targets body bending at the point of impact. Making the fist a "blur" of lines helps give a sense of speed and power to the punch.

Kicking

BAD KICK:
Same deal here. with the target being stick as a board it tells us this kick was nothing special. the attacker appears to be merely raising her foot at the target

GOOD KICK:
Now THAT had to hurt! Again..the horizontal line of force crumples the targets body around the point of impact. He probably won't be getting up for a while. Also the attacker's body is much more a part of this kick. all the balance is thrown into it giving the impression of a mighty delivery.

Adding details:

When you get to the stage of cleaning up your work and adding in details be sure and incorporate lines that translate the action taking place. The edges of her fist and arms are quick strokes following the direction her arm is travelling. his head is knocked back from the point of impact. His hair and spit show the continuance of the force of the punch. I put curved lines on his check to show an indentation where her fist connected