What do I need to bear in mind when drawing a male pin-up?

Jess Acer, US

Answer Nadia replies

First I want to point out the difference between a superhero and a male pin-up. The superhero was primarily designed to appeal to young boys, and symbolises power and masculinity. The purpose of a male pin-up is completely different, so don’t confuse the two and their specific visual language.

When tackling a male pin-up I would advise following the same rules for depicting a female pin-up. Think about your storytelling elements, the layout and colour choices. In addition, you have to identify specific body areas that admirers of the male pin-up genre will find attractive. The hands, defined underarm muscles, wide shoulders, strong eyebrows and the space between jaw and ear are some parts you can rely on to catch the viewer’s eye.

When you come to the details, such as nose and fingernails, it’s good to stick to straight lines, especially if you don’t have a clear vision. Doing this will keep the look fresh, masculine, elegant and tight. Don’t obscure key body elements with sloppy brush strokes – these details will dictate the quality of your art. Furthermore, if not expressly called for, try not to make your figure too muscular or hard looking. A sense of the erotic comes with the surface softness that obscures the strength underneath.

Attractive male parts are, for example, the hands, triangle shape, underarms and chin area. Exposing those is half the deal. Put extra effort into key body elements such as hands, or else your picture will lose impact.