Reaching forward
A figure pitched forward with both arms extended ahead, upper body and hands leading the pose.
Both hands lead the figure, extending ahead of a torso that has already committed forward from the hips, so the hands are the furthest point in the frame and the feet are the anchor. The torso angles over the legs and the back leg tends to straighten as the weight moves ahead, which gives a long diagonal from the rear heel through the spine to the fingertips.
This shape carries intent better than almost anything else in the library. It reads as offering, catching, asking or grabbing, and the mood changes entirely depending on the height of the hands and whether the elbows are locked. That makes it one of the most useful action references for storytelling poses.
The trap is a reach that does not cost the body anything. If the arms extend while the torso stays vertical, the figure looks like it is pointing rather than straining. Pitch the ribcage forward, keep the shoulder blades sliding around the ribcage as the arms go out, and watch the elbows: in a real reach they are almost straight but never locked. Also make sure the hands do not end up at eye level by accident, since that turns the pose into a defensive gesture.
Drawing notes
- Pitch the ribcage forward so the reach costs the body something.
- Keep the elbows almost straight but never locked.
- Place the hands deliberately relative to the shoulders; that height sets the mood.
Pose prompt
The description used to generate this study. Copy it into your own workflow, or hand it to the studio with your photo.
Adult woman leaning forward and reaching ahead with both arms, full body.
Working notes
- A figure pitched forward with both arms extended ahead, upper body and hands leading the pose.
- Hand height decides the meaning; specify where the hands are relative to the shoulders.
Put this pose on your own reference
Take this study to the studio and generate a new image in the same pose, or browse the rest of the action studies first.
