Life Drawing

This course addresses the structure and anatomy of the human figure. Students will render proportions, balance, form and mass of the figure. Drawing skills developed in Draw l and Draw ll are further refined by using a variety of drawing media and surfaces.

Plaster Cast Drawing

This is the student’s first assignment in the course which reintroduces them to observing value structures. Plaster casts are set up with chiaroscuro lighting and students draw them to-scale on toned paper. White and black charcoal are used to establish light and dark values. The paper is left bare in areas to represent midtones.

Anatomy Studies

Students are given three sets of homework assignments throughout the semester, all anatomical studies, beginning with particular skeletal structures of the human body. Students are provided with source imagery which they enlarge using the diagonal or grid method. The second set of homework involves drawing facial features from 5 different points of view. The last are studies of the hands and feet on large paper, drawn from observation.

In-Class Exercises

Throughout the semester, most in-class time is devoted to drawing from the model. Students learn about basic anatomical proportions through lectures and demonstrations, and create gesture drawings to capture the essence of each pose. As the semester progresses, the poses are observed for longer periods of time and students learn how to work with a variety of materials, such as color pencils, toned paper, white charcoal on black paper, chalk pastels, etc.

Final Drawings

At the end of the semester, students work on two projects: a metaphorical self-portrait and a 4-session pose from observation. Both are done on large paper using the media of the student’s choice.