Hey friends!
In this drawing lesson I’ll teach you how to draw a drop fold.
The drop fold is created when a cloth hangs freely from an anchor point or an anchor area.
Here is an example.
This is a simple example of a towel hanging in the air. The only forces affecting it are gravity and the clothespin holding it in place.
Remember this rule: folds radiate from the anchor point and outwards. In this example they radiate downwards.
This fold is basic and challenging at the same time. The concept of a piece of cloth hanging loosely from an anchor point is relatively simple to grasp. There is, however, a large variety of shapes that can be created.
Here is another example of a drop fold.
This example shows a drop fold created in cloth supported by an anchor area. The cloth is leaning against a ledge of some sort. Notice the different, hook-like shapes created in this example.
Now let’s make some order in the mess.
Drop folds, like all other folds, conform to the principles we learned earlier.
Let’s focus on two key principles:
1. The power of gravity is always present.
2. Folds radiate outwards from the anchor point or anchor area.
The most prominent characteristic of the drop fold is the direction of the fold, radiating downwards.
When supported by an anchor point, these folds tend to receive the shape of a cone. This happens because the cloth is held by the anchor point while being bunched up. As all the folds radiate downwards the cloth becomes wider and wider, taking the shape of a cone.
Here is a good example of this.
There is literally an infinite amount of drop folds, and the only way to study them is… you guessed it, using reference! (looking for them in the real world)
For this, take a towel and hold it in your hand, close to one of the edges. Hold it in the air and take a look at the folds created.
Now repeat this a few times, and notice how every time the folds look slightly different. This is the wonder of the drop fold – Basic, yet challenging.
And finally – watch my step by step video:
Keep looking for this fold in as many places possible, and slowly but surely you will be able to draw it yourself.
If you want more useful info on drawing folds in clothes, check out my book: How to Draw Folds and Clothes.
Also, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my blog (ON THE LEFT), or via my Get Awesome Stuff page! You’ll get my eBook for free + great tips and advice on drawing! (=
And until next time – take care!
– Liron
