Inktober 2018 - Day #2: Fundamentals: Grips

Welcome to Inktober 2018 Day 2!

Inktober is an event where artists draw 1 picture for each day in the month of October. This year's focus/theme will be on the staff/spear with my notes. Please forgive my crappy picture of the page.

Enjoy!

---

NOTES

1. Palm Up/Down grip - Fight initially at long ranges and can rapidly shift hands to center of staff for close-quarters. Powerful long and short strikes using 'push-pull' action of the hands.
2. Palms Down grip - For close-quarters and levering. Effective for blocking and pushing.
3. Baseball bat grip - Facilitates rapid, circular, flourishing attacks, where the staff makes a series of vertical spins to block and strike. Best for 5-6 feet staves. If hands closer together, can deliver powerful strikes like holding a baseball bat.
4. Single-end grip - Used at long range. Facilitates long- and medium- range fights. Can deliver fast long-range thrusts.
5. Reverse grip - Good for ascending strikes or levering between legs for takedowns/trips.

KEY POINTS

1. Some grips may be better for attacks, blocks or both.
2. Practice various grips in various situations.

SOURCES

1. McLemore, Dwight C. "The Fighting Staff". Paladin Press, 2009.
2. Demura, Fumio. "Bo:  Karate Weapon of Self-Defense". Ohara Publications, 1976.
3. Varady, Joe. "The Art and Science of Staff Fighting". YMAA Publication Center, 2016.

---

My drawings for Inktober 2018 (this will be updated daily to add links to each subsequent picture in the series):

• Inktober 2018 - Day #1: Fundamentals: Staff Lengths
• 
  

---

Inktober 2017's focus was predominately knifefighting and if you want to check it out, please visit my Projects page.

Inktober 2018 - Day #1: Fundamentals: Staff Lengths

Welcome to Inktober 2018 Day 1!

Inktober is an event where artists draw 1 picture for each day in the month of October. There is an official prompt list for the picture of each day. Last year, I put my own spin to Inktober by focusing each drawing on the martial arts. After the first few pictures, I decided to focus on 1 theme for the whole month. Last year's focus was knifefighting and if you want to check it out, please visit my Projects page.

This year's focus/theme will be on the staff/spear. I am ambitious with this project, will do my best to post 1 picture a day. I also will be jotting down notes to each drawing as after all, I'm trying to learn staff/spear. Additionally, I need to hone my 'gesture drawing' skills as it will be beneficial for notes taking after a martial arts class/seminar. Drawing and notes will be on an 8.5" x 11" paper and I will collect them into a folder.

Enjoy!

---

NOTES

1. "...you shall stand upright, holding the staff upright close by your body, with your left hand, reaching with your right hand your staff as high as you can, and then allow to that length a space to set both your hands, when you come to fight, wherein you may conveniently strike, thrust, and ward, & that is the just length to be made according to your stature."
   ~George Silver's Paradoxes of Defense (1599)
2. George Silver is saying length of staff is determined by one's height.
3. Waist height and shoulder height - best to use sword techniques
4. Some Chinese styles consider eyebrow height as ideal
5. Chinese and Germans used 8'-12' staves.

KEY POINTS

1. Shoulder height or shorter, use the staff as a sword.
2. Eyebrow height (~5') up to 12', use staff techniques.

SOURCES

1. McLemore, Dwight C. "The Fighting Staff". Paladin Press, 2009.
2. Lindholm, David. "Fighting with the Quarterstaff". Chivalry Bookshelf, 2006.

---

My drawings for Inktober 2018 (this will be updated daily to add links to each subsequent picture in the series):

• Inktober 2018 - Day #2: Fundamentals: Grips
•