Examples of various mark-making techniques

                            Lucas Samaras. Head #12. 1981. Pastel on black paper. 45.1 x 29.2cm.
(Example showing how areas of colour can be layered - in this case building on top of a dark piece of paper)

                        Paul P. Untitled. 2003. Grease pencil and gouache on paper. 18.4 x 15.2 cm.
                                        (Example showing the use of cross-hatching marks)

                                            John Currin. Untitled. 1998. Gouache on paper.
                   ( Example showing the use of line and cross-hatching to build up the figures)

                               Roland Flexner. Untitled. 1995. Graphite on paper. 35.6 x 27.9cm.

                                     Roland Flexner. 1995. Graphite on paper. 35.6 x 27.9 cm.
                                  ( Examples above show the use of stippling  - a dotted mark)

PBS does a series showcasing a variety of contemporary artists. I've posted two videos below from this series that show a couple of artists who employ different types of mark-making techniques in their works. These aren't figurative artists, but they provide a glimpse into varying approaches to mark-making.

Cai Guo-Qiang:
http://www.pbs.org/art21/watch-now/segment-cai-guo-qiang-in-power

Julie Mehretu:
http://www.pbs.org/art21/watch-now/segment-julie-mehretu-in-systems

The Figure in Contemporary Art

Below are some examples of the figure in contemporary art (primarily drawing). There are plenty of ways to create interesting and dynamic drawings that can range from more realistic representations of the figure to more obscure or abstract ones. Consider your personal goals and what you want to achieve in figure drawing!

Marcel Dzama. Untitled, 2004. 14" x 11". Ink, watercolor and root beer on paper.

Raymond Pettibon. Baseball Players. Ink and gouache on paper.

 

Towards the end of the video posted below, you can see the artist working on one of his baseball player drawings.

http://www.pbs.org/art21/watch-now/segment-raymond-pettibon-in-humor

Anthony Gudahy. Ink on paper. 2011.

Marlene Dumas. Figures.

Chloe Piene. “Iobella.” Charcoal on vellum.