The Figure Block-in 2D → 2D (Online Course)
Ananda St. Barry
Wednesdays, 5 PM – 9 PM ET – please adjust for your timezone
Jan 27, Feb 3, 10, 17, 24, March 3, 10, 17 ,24, 31, 2027
10 weeks – Tuition: $625
Limit: 10 students
Take this class:
- to acquire a complete strategy for making a figure drawing.
- to hone the unique skills applicable to creating a closed form drawing.
- if you have little drawing experience or just want to brush up on the block in skill set.
Is this class for me?
- This class is good for beginners and students looking to strengthen their foundations of figure drawing.
- If you are a complete beginner, taking GCA’s Orientation Seminar is recommended.
Class Format Notes:
- 2 hour live critiques each class.
- Approximately 2 hours of demo each class.
- Students work on their weekly assignment outside of class time, working during class is completely optional.
- Every online class is recorded.
- Critiques are only given during the live class time.
- Attendance at every live class isn’t mandatory.
- Absentee students can still submit their work at least 15 minutes before the live class starts and the instructor will critique the work during the class. The critique will then be viewable in the recording.
- Students receive access to the class recording within 24 hours of the class finishing. The recording gets posted into the google classroom.
- Access to the recordings is available for the duration of the class plus an additional 30 days. There are no extensions.
Class Tech Needs:
- The class will be conducted on the Zoom platform and is a live online experience.
- This class also uses Google Classroom to share resources. Watch this video for more insight.
- All of these services/platforms are free but require registration.
- It will be necessary for students to have access to a computer, tablet or smartphone. The recommended device is a laptop or desktop.
“One of the best classes I have taken where I learned so much in a short span of time.”
– Helen
Course Description
This class is designed to strengthen figure drawing skills with the aid of the Charles Bargue 19th Century Drawing Course and a library of art historical resources. Through the simplest use of line and shape, Bargue figure plates are an excellent resource for studying the fundamentals of figure drawing. Bargue is particularly useful as an introduction to methods of comparative measurement, perspective, the articulation of weight distribution, and understanding the dynamic gesture of a figure in a pose. Using art historical references we will begin exploring the use of shapes and articulated contours to fully realize a volumetric block-in in preparation for rendering. With an understanding of the basics of blocking-in in hand, we will use a master copy to construct a fully realized figure block-in typical of GCA figure drawing. Students can expect to develop a system for blocking-in the figure from life that captures a sense of rhythm, proportion, and structure.
Each week students are expected to work along with the instructor during class and work on an additional drawing outside of class.
Ananda will both demo and provide individual critiques to students.
Note: The class will be conducted on the Zoom platform and is a live online experience. It will be necessary for students to have access to a computer, tablet or smartphone. The recommended device is a laptop or desktop.