Painting & Drawing The Human Figure – Ken Goldman

Beginner-Advanced
January 21 – March 11 (7 weeks)
Mondays @ 1:00-4:00pm

Painting & Drawing The Human Figure

Course Overview:

This class follows a basic approach to painting and drawing the human figure from a clothed and nude life model. On day one, we will go over the many varied ways to approach gesture drawing. On week two, the model will hold a single three-hour pose during which time 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. Then, during the last six weeks, students will draw or paint two different three-session sustained-pose paintings or drawings (9 hours each).

In addition to canvas, newsprint, or watercolor paper, toned paper may be used to study dark and light accents in chiaroscuro treatment. Attention will be given to the creative use of color and value, and intermediate or advanced students may use their favorite medium. In addition to portraiture, attention will be given to basics of hands and feet. Deeper study of anatomy can be provided as needed. After day one, we will do 20 minutes of warm-up gesture poses before starting each long pose.

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.

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

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

Acrylics: Same as oils, except no mineral spirits, just a container for water.

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