Painting & Drawing The Human Figure–Geometry of Form – Ken Goldman

Beginner-Advanced
Oct 8 – Nov 19 (7 weeks)
Mondays @ 1:00-4:00pm

Painting & Drawing The Human Figure – Geometry of Form

Course Overview:

In Painting & Drawing The Human Figure-The Geometry of Form we will practice the art of seeing, drawing, and lighting figures or portraits in terms of their simplest basic forms—the cube, cylinder, sphere—and combinations of these shapes. This will promote the ability to think first and foremost in terms of mass rather than final details or anatomy.

During the first three weeks, we will practice drawing actual boxes and cylinders in various positions corresponding to the live models poses, until the ability to see basic forms in any position becomes so instinctive that you will know exactly how to visualize the model’s torso, head or limbs as simple boxes and cylinders, a practice which will help immensely in constructing a figure. For the last four weeks we will have two sustained six-hour poses in which the figures will be drawn lightly as basic shapes and then refined into more finished drawings by stressing simplified shading, cross-contour strokes, and learning where to place finishing accents.

For the first class, please bring a cylindrical core (empty paper towel roll), a small box to draw from, and an 18” x 24” newsprint pad, drawing board, kneaded eraser, and vine charcoal. Gestures will be taught in a way that incorporates the three basic shapes. All levels are welcome, as instruction is individual.

Materials:

You do not need to buy everything on this list. Only buy materials that relate to the medium you plan to work with, or if you are more advanced, bring your own supplies. On day one you only need newsprint/drawing board, vine charcoal, kneaded eraser, and one colored pastel for accents.

Drawing: 2B, 4B, and 6B graphite pencils; kneaded eraser; 18” x 24” drawing pad; 18” x 24” acid-free smooth newsprint.

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

Pastels: softest 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 two clips to hold it.

Attention: Artists & Craftsman Supply (Hillcrest) will be able to assist with any materials needed for the class. Bring only what you plan on using.