Course Description

Light, volume, and color are crucial elements of the artistic world. In this class we will investigate these concepts with the figure.

In this figure drawing and painting workshop, participants will learn how to work with the figure using academic three-dimensional concepts. Form in art is a traditional concept invented prior to Monet’s “Painting Light” where the painter or draftsman sculpts volume as it relates to the light source, rather than optically. The workshop will address form rendering, physics of light, optics, composition with an emphasis on naturalism and academic techniques.  Students will focus on “being on the form” to find truthful volume in their drawing or painting, while gaining a better understanding of the figure.

Working at their own pace, students will have the opportunity to work from one life figure model 30 hours from start to finish. Short demonstrations, lectures, Q&A and guidance will be offered. Beginning to advanced artists are welcome.

Day 1: Block-in
Day 2: Three-dimensional contour drawing
Day 3: Conceptual form modeling
Day 4: Optics our good friend and enemy
Day 5: Structure, anatomy and “under modeling”