Painting & Drawing The Human Figure – Online – Ken Goldman

Mondays, 1–4 PM

January 25–March 1 (6 Weeks, 18 Total Hours of Instruction)

Online

$245/265

Painting & Drawing The Human Figure – Online

Course Overview:

This online class will offer a “time-tested,” basic approach to painting and drawing the human figure using carefully selected, high resolution videos and photographs of clothed or nude models. In addition, masterful works by other artists (past and present) will be used for further instruction and inspiration.

Day One, we will go over the many varied ways to approach gesture drawing. On weeks two, three, four, five, and six, we will go over blocking-in, simplification, and seeing the figure as cylinders and cubes (which helps to clarify the rationale behind directional strokes in light and dark shading). At the beginning of each class, we will do 20 minutes of warm-up gesture poses.

In addition to figure and portraiture, attention will be given to basics of hands and feet. Deeper study of anatomy can be provided as needed. Each week, one of the five main features—eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and neck—will be discussed; videos and notes of each will be sent to your email.

Materials:

MATERIALS: Since this is an online class, just use the materials you are already comfortable with. You do not need to buy anything on this list. It is just a suggestion: the simpler the better.

For gestures, you need only newsprint; a drawing board (a piece of 3/16” thick foam-core drawing support cut to 19” x 25” with four bulldog clips); very soft vine charcoal; a kneaded eraser; and one color pastel for accents.

Course Materials: Pencil: Two mechanical pencils, a 2 mm mechanical holder with 4B leads and a 0.5 mechanical pencil with 2B leads; kneaded eraser; blending stump; small sanding block; rag; drawing pad, 18” x 24”, Strathmore 300 Series (or any brand you have); drawing support mentioned above.

Attention: If we are not under mandatory shutdown, Artist & Craftsman Supply, in Hillcrest, will have two discounted kits hand-selected by Ken. Buy both or buy either one separately if you already have the materials provided in the other kit: Kit #1: drawing board, clips, drawing pad; Kit #2: pencils, eraser, stump, sanding block.

Charcoal: 4B charcoal pencil; softest vine charcoal; rags or Viva paper towels; kneaded eraser.

Pastel: soft vine charcoal; NuPastel, box of 96 pieces; Canson -brand pastel paper, #429, 426, or 431; foam-core drawing board cut one inch larger than your paper, with four bulldog clips.

Beginning Watercolor: Paint: one tube each Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna for first session; more colors if you have them (additional colors will be discussed at first meeting); large covered Woods or Pike palette or your favorite travelling palette; a #12 pointed and 1” flat brush; facial tissues; Arches or other good quality paper (no Strathmore student-grade watercolor paper).

Oil: up to 18” x 24” canvas board (prime with single light wash of Golden Acrylic Gray Value #6); Robert Simmons filbert brushes #2, 4, 8, 12; Gamsol odorless mineral spirits with container; Liquin; Viva paper towels; disposable paper, wood or glass palette (plastic palette saver to store them); Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, Permalba White paint for first session; if experienced, also bring a warm and cool of each primary color or whatever colors you normally use.

Acrylic: same as oils, except no mineral spirits, just a container for water.

We are pleased to offer this class online using Zoom video conferencing. This mimics, as closely as possible, what normally happens in our classrooms at the Athenaeum. In this time when many of us are experiencing anxiety and isolation, this format allows us to continue to provide enriching experiences of artistic growth and community building.

The technology to make this happen is quite simple. You only need a computer (phone or tablet) with a camera, microphone, and internet connection and we are here to help you should you experience any technical difficulties.

Immediately after you register, look for a confirmation email from Eventbrite. In the week preceding the class start date, you will receive another email via Eventbrite with a Zoom link and detailed instructions. We recommend adding Eventbrite to your contact list and/or your email provider’s “whitelist” to be sure you don’t miss these important communications.

Stay safe and be well! And thank you for your continued support of our school.