Gesture Drawing and Dynamic Action Poses

Gesture and action poses are the foundation of expressive animation and storyboarding. In this course, you’ll learn how to capture movement, push exaggeration, and master perspective and foreshortening to make your drawings dynamic and clear.

This course is ideal for animation students and aspiring storyboard artists who want to sharpen their skills in gesture drawing and action posing. A basic level of drawing skill is recommended, but the small class size ensures close guidance and feedback for every student

Gesture Drawing and Dynamic Action Poses (1)

Difficulty

Intermediate

Pre Requisites

Basic drawing skills

Requirements

Windows PC
Toon Boom Harmony,
Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint,
ProCreate

Program Length

Six weeks, split into two parts:
Exaggeration (weeks 1–3)
Volume/foreshortening (weeks 4–6)

Delivery Mode

Live online via Zoom.
Recordings are provided for review

Start Date

Starting Monday
3rd Nov 2025
7pm UTC

Expressive Gesture Drawing

Capture the overall movement and energy of a pose with quick, expressive lines that communicate action and intent.

Exaggeration & Clarity

Learn how to push your drawings beyond realism—using grouping, silhouettes, and exaggeration to create powerful, readable poses.

Volume & Foreshortening

Understand the underlying forms of the body and practice foreshortening techniques to make your drawings dynamic and dimensional.

Dynamic Action Scenes

Combine exaggeration, volume, and perspective to create fully realized action poses that are ready for animation or storyboarding.

Identifying Overall Movement of the Pose

Learn to see and capture the essence of a pose through gesture. Break down movement into simple flowing lines that establish rhythm and action.

Grouping and Silhouettes

Discover how to simplify complex poses into clear groupings. Use silhouettes to strengthen readability and ensure your poses communicate instantly.

Exaggerate and Push the Pose

Develop the ability to push your drawings beyond literal reference. Learn how exaggeration creates stronger poses that emphasize storytelling and motion.

Volumes of the Torso and Legs + Foreshortening

Build a solid understanding of the torso and legs in 3D space. Practice foreshortening techniques to add depth and realism to your poses.

Volumes of Arms & Hands + Foreshortening

Focus on arms and hands, mastering their volumes and foreshortened forms. Learn strategies for maintaining proportion and flow in dynamic angles.

Putting It All Together in Perspective

Combine exaggeration, volume, and foreshortening in complete poses. Practice integrating all techniques to create dynamic action drawings ready for storyboards or animation keys.

Overview

Accredited Bachelor Degrees & Diplomas

CG Spectrum offers specialised creative degrees and diploma programs designed to prepare students for careers in the entertainment industry. These programs focus on practical, industry-relevant skills, taught by experienced professionals. Key areas include:

3D & 2D Animation - Learn character and creature animation for film and games using industry-standard tools.
Game Design & Development - Master game mechanics, level design, and programming to create immersive games.
Visual Effects - Explore compositing, simulations, and digital effects for film and TV.
Digital Illustration & Concept Art - Develop skills in character design, environments, and storytelling for games and film.
3D Modeling - Create assets for games, films, and virtual productions, focusing on both hard-surface and organic modeling.

Programs are flexible, online, and focus on hands-on learning, portfolio development, and mentorship from industry experts. These courses are suited for beginners and advanced learners looking to break into the creative industries.

Find Out More

Course Options

Learn your way

Join a small group class for a collaborative experience, or opt for private 1-on-1 training for personalized guidance.

One-Time Payment

7-Day Refund Guarantee

Group Class

US$ 999

Learn, build, and grow together.

The Group Class is the core program designed for collaboration, peer feedback, and community learning — while keeping the group small enough for personal mentor support.

Level: Intermediate
Lessons: 6
Capacity: 6
Prerequisites: Basic drawing skills
Required Hardware: Windows PC
Required Software: Toon Boom Harmony,
Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, ProCreate

Class is live every Monday at 7pm UTC.
Starting November 3rd.

Private 1 on 1

US$ 2,495

If you prefer learning one-on-one with a mentor at your own pace, we also offer a private version of this course.

The requirements (software, tools, format, and support) are the same as the Group Class.

The private version runs over 6 weeks, giving you:

Tailored guidance to match your goals
Flexible scheduling within a clear 6-week timeline
Direct feedback on your work
The freedom to learn at a pace that suits you
A stronger mentor relationship with focused support

Gesture Drawing & Dynamic Action Poses

This 6-week live course is designed for animation students who want to strengthen their skills in expressive posing, gesture drawing, and foreshortening.

Master gesture drawing and dynamic posing for animation and storyboarding.

How the Course Works

What You’ll Learn

Your Learning Journey