Figure 8 Tutorial - Glowsticking.com

Custom Search

Written by Windsen Pan

Wednesday, 20 February 2008 11:10

The figure 8 is the most basic yet widely executed move in the art of freehand glowsticking. However, many new glowstickers find the move difficult to learn. In actuality, the figure 8 is not difficult at all. It only seems this way because there exists so many different forms of the move.

To help glowstickers better understand the concept and technique of the figure 8, I have created a set of instructional videos that demonstrate the basics. Keep in mind that the figure 8 is not limited to what is demonstrated in the videos. Glowsticking offers endless possibilities in terms of what you can do with basic techniques. Learn the movements from video then apply your knowledge of the technique to create your own style of the 8.

The basic idea of the figure 8 is to manipulate the glowsticks in a way that creates a trail of light resembling the number ?8?.? One glowstick is drawing the outline of an ?8? while the other glowstick follows in its path. One way of doing this is using your arms (download video 1). This video demonstrates how to draw an 8 using mainly arm movements (as opposed to wrist movements ? see video 2):

*Note: This describes a right-handed figure 8. To perform a left-handed figure 8, reverse the motions.

1. Hold the sticks in your hands as if you are holding the handles of a jump rope, but with your hands out in front rather than to the sides. Have the ends of the sticks pointing upward.

2. Using your right hand, move the glowsticking down to the left side. As you are doing this, move your left hand to where your right hand was originally. At this point, your arms should be crossed with your right arm at a lower position.

3. To continue, move your right hand to your right side at the same level. Bring your left hand down to where your right was. What you should notice is that your left hand is just following in the path of your right. Keep in mind both hands are moving at the same time.

4. Now, bring your right hand up to your left side in a diagonal line. You?re left hand should replace your right hand?s previous position.

5. Finally, bring your right hand across to your right side. At the same time, bring your left hand up to the left. Both hands should be at the same level. You should also notice that you are now in the same position as you were when you began. You simply go through the same motions again.

6. What you have learned is the basic outline of the hand movements (right hand lead left hand). But to make it look like an ?8?, your movements must be smooth and fluid. When ever you get to the ?top? or ?bottom? of the 8, try making your movements curved as to depict the curves of an ?8.? Refer to the video to get this idea.

You can make your ?8? wide, tall, spanning the length of your torso or the length of your body. Don?t restrict yourself to movements just in front of your either. For more variations of the figure 8, check out the rest of the tutorial articles. If you have further questions, check out the discussion board on glowsticking.com. Good luck.

Another way of executing the figure 8 is by employing localized wrist movements (download video 2). In this method, you are still creating an outline of an ?8? but the in a much smaller fashion. This variation will depend on the dexterity of your wrists. Because the shape of the figure 8 is smaller, more intense trails can be created with less movement and speed. The effect is a much more fluid figure 8, given that it is done correctly.

1. You can hold the glowsticks in the same fashion as done in video #1, but in order to maximize the smooth effect of the trails, hold the glowsticks like you are gripping a pencil. However, instead of holding the stick in the middle, grasp the end of the glowstick (see video). Additionally, apply a relatively loose grip on the glowsticks. This will allow the glowstick room to move during the execution to create a more fluid image.

2. Join both hands at the inside of wrist. You should have the palms of your hands facing each other, forming a ?v? in front of you.

3. The idea here will be the same as the standard (arm movement) figure 8. However, you will only be moving your wrists. Begin by moving your right hand glowstick down to the left side and moving your left glowstick to where your right one was. To perform these movements, think of ?rolling your wrists? on each other (see video).

4. Next, bring your right hand glowstick back to the right side. Simultaneously, bring your left glowstick down to the left side. At this point, your hands should be at the same level, uncrossed. To create the bottom half of the ?8,? point the glowsticks toward the ground. Having a loose grip will make this easier.

5. Now, move the right hand glowstick up and to the left, while moving your left glowstick to the right side where your right glowstick just was. Again, we?re doing the same right-hand lead, left hand follow motion.

6. Finally, bring the right hand glowstick over to the left and bring the left up to the left. You should be in your initial starting position, more or less. While doing this step, you can point the sticks upward as to exaggerate the top of the ?8?.

This form of the figure 8 requires a little more practice. Remember to think about rolling your wrists. Practice making these movements smooth. What I have given you is the basic outline of the movements involved. Also, you can experiment with your grip by varying its tightness at the top and bottom of the ?8? to create different sizes. The looser the grip, the more they will ?flail? in your hands and the smoother it will look. Be patient with this move. Focus not on speed, but more on smoothness and fluidity. With smoothness will come speed.

For direct download of the tutorial videos:
http://www.glowsticking.com/nu/media/5/20041207-glowsticking_com_Instructional_Fig8_1.wmv
http://www.glowsticking.com/nu/media/5/20041207-glowsticking_com_Instructional_Fig8_2.wmv