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Folds - A Drawing Tutorial by Rini
 
This tutorial is subject to my TOU. Please read the shortened form at the bottom. Part 1: Introduction During this tutorial, because I am lazy, I'm using a typical female template by Punky, an anime-style Shampoo (of Ranma 1/2) template by Emerald, a male template by Aragonite, and another female template by Pickledance20. The latter 3 templates can be found at Snippets. I decided to use 4 different bases so there could be more examples of types of folds and positions, fold motion, etc. (If I may add, as an afterthought I added underwear so you all (and my host) wouldn't freak out on me.) First thing's first: Why do folds occur? This is the basic knowledge necessary to create accurate folds. Due to gravity and movement, creases form at certain locations called anchor points. Generally, anchor points occur at specific places, but not always. (Anchor points are more specific on male figures due to the "boxier" frame, by the way.) So, anywhere gravity would pull material downward or the figure is bending or twisting, folds occur. (Note: Not "a fold", but rather "folds". They do not occur singularly.) Finally, a few things to keep in mind: •folds curve. They are not straight at all, except in the case of hanging folds, which still "v" slightly. •folds radiate outward in curves from the anchor points around the body. Part 2: Anchor Points Anchor points are the basic locations where folds occur. On the images below, I've put a small red square on the anchors. 
These are the places where the majority of folds happen. Other such places are (as on base 4 at the hand) where things come in contact. They are at any point where two parts bend, twist, or join. These regularly include: collar/neck, shoulder/underarm, elbow, wrist, breasts, waist/hips, crotch, knee, and ankle. Anchors will also be present anywhere there is a projecting member, such as breasts, bent knees, etc. Part 3: Types of folds Here is where things get really complicated. Different movements create different types of folds, and different positions pull fabrics in different directions. Here, I'll demonstrate a few of the more common types of folds on the bases. 1. Vertical Folds Vertical folds are just that. They hang straight downward as on a long skirt, pleated skirt, dress, or sleeve on which the fabric would hang. Keep in mind, of course, that although vertical, they are never really straight. 
Base #1: The folds hang downward from the waistband. Base #2: The folds hang from the knees and rear. Base #3: The folds hang from the shoulders and underarm. Base #4: The folds hang from the extended knee and hips. (Note that the folds curve from the anchor downward.) 2. Horizontal Folds Horizontal folds are sort of perpendicular to vertical folds. They occur when a shirt is tucked in, on a long sleeved top when the elbow is bent, when loose material is draped over the breasts, and on tight pieces of cloth. 
Base #1: The folds hang downward from the breasts, and are before the part of the top that would be tucked in. Base #2: The folds come from the bend at the waist, the tucked in part, and the breasts. There are also some at the elbow. Base #3: The folds wrap around the body on the sides, and hang from the shoulders. Base #4: The folds occur below the breasts, at the bottom of the looser material, and around the body in the tighter bottom part. *Note that the folds from the breasts and neck, or folds that are anchored by two points like that, are swag folds, a separate category of horizontal fold from the norm. 3. "V" Folds The things I call "v" folds are a way of showing that either a horizontal or vertical fold is ending. They usually occur in between a horizontal and vertical fold. I'm afraid I'm not explaining this part very well, so please look carefully at the images below for folds in a V or sideways V shape. 
Base #1: The folds occur in the stomach area, where the drape from the breasts begins to meet the horizontal folds of the stomach. Base #2: The folds are on both sides of the bend in the hip and where the fabric is pulled by the back leg. Base #3: The folds are pretty much all over in this one: crotch, hip, knee, lower leg, ankle. Base #4: The folds appear where the arms pull the sleeves, where the sleeves meet the bend at the wrist, and along the sides of the tight bodice. (Note: V folds also occur when pleats or long vertical folds run into one another and either overlap or just come together. Examples later.) (Note: Again, the folds from the breasts are not v folds, but rather swag folds. I know, I know, get to those already... okay, ok. Move to the next section, already.) 4. Swag Folds Swag folds, while very similar to V folds, are sort of the black sheep. They do not hang from one point, but rather two, draping down into a point. This is pretty much the only way to classify them. 
Base #1: The folds occur from the neck and breasts. Base #2: The folds are from the breasts. See the elbow? Don't be fooled. Those are not swag folds. Base #3: The folds are difficult to spot here. I'll give you a hint, they're on his right arm. They're where the shoulder/underarm and the bend in the elbow connect. Base #4: The folds appear where the ruching is. However, don't think that it is from the seam outward, because it's not. Rather, the folds come from either side of a fabric piece and hang down toward the middle. *Note: I realize that swag folds are tricky. However, keep in mind that they don't occur very often, most usually only on loose fitting fabrics. Tight fabrics will not have swag folds, unless it is draped just so. Part 4: Anchor Point Explanations I now proceed to explaining the anchor points in better detail. 1. Collar The anchor points on either side of the collar come from the muscle creating the curve between the neck and shoulders. Clothing occasionally tends to bunch up here. 2. Shoulder Anchor points at the shoulders aren't seen as often as those that radiate from the underarm. They usually result from the sleeve being stretched due to the extension of an arm. 3. Underarm Folds from the underarms result from the pull that is created there due to movement. However, they are always present, even if the body is at rest. 4. Elbow Folds at the elbows result from the elbow bending, or the fabric being stretched over the muscular areas of the upper and forearm. 5. Wrist Usually, folds at the wrist occur from the fabric hanging to this point, then catching on the hand as it widens. 6. Breasts Do I really need to explain this one? They stick out. Anything that sticks out will have fabric drape from it. Unless, of course, it's spandex or something of that nature. 7. Waist/hips Folds at the (I keep writing teh...) occur (I keep writing occur too...dun dun dun) with movement. If the character has large hips, the folds will become present due to the shirt catching on the hips. 8. Crotch Folds catch here, simple as that. They radiate out over the legs, and through the hip joint. 9. Knee Folds at the knee happen when the fabric catches before the lower leg. Also, if the knee is bent, fabric will drape down from the knee. 10. Ankle Folds at the (drone: folds at the, folds at the...) ankle occur due to the fabric catching on the foot, so it bunches up. Would you like some examples now? Not so fast, key points first. Part 5: Reminders •Now that you've learned all this stuff, the first thing you have to do is forget it all. Well, not exactly forget it, but rather keep in mind that you're the artist. You make the final decision on what looks good. •Every piece of clothing has folds. Every single one. No exceptions. Different types of folds: yes, folds: always. No matter how minimal, they are always present. •Don't do it the exact same way I did, just because you're learning. I will do things differently than you. For example, I prefer to use shading for folds, while you may like to use outlines for folds. Whatever works for you is best. •Buy all the reference books you can get your hands on. Looking, reading, and practicing are really the only ways to get better. This is your resource to use, but not the only one you should have. I recommend "Dynamic Wrinkles and Drapery" by Burne Hogarth, as it goes really in-depth on the whats, wheres, and whys of wrinkles. •Everybody can learn something new. The learning process never stops. So, it's never too late to experiment with doing things differently. Folds are no exception. I don't care how long you've been drawing, there is always something new to be learned. Part 6: Examples 
You are not allowed to reproduce this tutorial in any manner. Do not edit the images in any way. If you wish to share, please link to my front page instead of the tutorial. I prefer for you to not save just the images. If you wish to submit further examples, please email me. Do not redistribute. A mention of this would be nice, but is not necessary. Please read my TOU for more specific information.
This tutorial was written by Rini.
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