How Pole Dancing Improved My Illustration Skills
I took my first pole dance class when I was in my mid-twenties, shortly after I moved across the country to Los Angeles. As a teenager, I was extremely self-conscious and awkward. If you had told me that one day I will own three pairs of stripper heels and a ten-foot pole in my living room, my brain would have exploded. I feel very lucky to live in Los Angeles because there are so many great studios, opportunities, and talented people here. I’ve met amazing dancers who blow me away with their physical abilities as well as their creativity and dedication to their craft.
For a while, I worked part-time as a receptionist for a pole studio in Hollywood. I learned so much during that period because I was able to take unlimited classes for free, and I was surrounded by great mentors and a supportive community. In 2020, all of the dance studios had to shut down due to the pandemic. At the time, I did not have space in my apartment to dance, so instead I spent my time drawing pole dancers. Now that the studios are open again, I try to take a class here and there but I lost a lot of momentum.
Five years later, I still consider myself a beginner dancer but I’ve grown a lot as an artist. Pole dancing had the unexpected effect of improving my illustration practice. I never would have guessed how much the two disciplines have in common. I would love to share some of the benefits, and perhaps inspire you to try a new hobby.
Figure Drawing
I have become more comfortable drawing a variety of dynamic poses and bodies in motion. Prior to pole dancing, I was not very adventurous when it came to drawing characters in complex poses. I have many old drawings of people standing with their arms by their sides or hidden behind their back.
At my local life drawing sessions, I’ve encountered professional figure drawing models who are also dancers. They tend to be extra good at posing and angling their bodies to appear elegant.
This illustration depicts the “Bird of Paradise” pose
Anatomy
I am not well educated on human anatomy, but I believe that taking dance classes deepened my understanding of the human body. Pole dancing has enhanced my own body awareness, and I now have a greater understanding and appreciation of how human bodies can move and bend.
I have also gotten better at noticing little details such as external/internal rotation of body parts, micro-bends, and muscle engagement.
Shapes and Lines
Until recently, I never knew that shapes and lines are just as important in dance as they are in drawing. Through pole dancing, I learned about how to make “pretty shapes” and “clean lines” with your body. I was taught how to do a fake split to give the illusion of a flat line even though I am not flexible enough to do a real split.
One of my big challenges has been learning the difference between pointed and sickled feet. Even now, there are many times when I think I am pointing my toes until the instructor calls me out for sickling my feet.
Style
Many dancers I’ve met happen to have a strong sense of fashion, and it often compliments their storytelling or enhances their movements. I especially love watching dancers twirl while wearing flowy dresses. A few years ago, I was part of a cirque-inspired show with beautiful costumes and set design. In this case, most of the costumes were created by the dancers themselves. I spent a few hours gluing rhinestones onto helmets for a glittery warrior-themed number, which ended up looking really cool on stage.
Creativity and Inspiration
Dancers are some of the most creative people I have ever met. Not only do they have impressive physical abilities, but they also possess brilliant minds. Their imagination is amazing. I have no idea how choreographers devise a performance that is visually interesting as well as emotional and thought-provoking. My mind is blown every time I see a group of people dancing perfectly in sync to create kaleidoscopic shapes with their bodies.
Spending time with dancers reignited my passion for creativity, and encouraged me to practice drawing again. By witnessing the incredible things that can be achieved with hard work, I feel more motivated to continue on my own art journey.
