Figure Drawing
This course introduces students to observational figure drawing from a live model. It focuses on contour, gesture, proportion, volume, light and shadow, and spatial depth. Through structured studio practice, students develop accuracy, expressive line quality, and an understanding of the human form using traditional drawing techniques.
§ 01 By the end you can
- Draw the human figure accurately using observation, contour, and gesture.
- Apply proportion, volume, and structural understanding in figure drawing.
- Use light, shadow, and chiaroscuro to create depth and form.
- Draw complex body parts such as hands, feet, and foreshortened figures.
- Combine technical accuracy with expressive and compositional clarity.
§ 02 Sixteen sessions
The whole semester.
- 01Introduction to Figure Drawing and Syllabus Discussion
- 02Contour Drawing from the Model
- 03Gesture Drawing Techniques
- 04Volumetric Drawing and Form Construction
- 05Proportion and Structural Measurement
- 06Drawing the Figure: Front, Back, and Side Views
- 07Shading Exercises from the Model
- 08 · MidtermLight, Shadow, and Tonal Values
- 09Chiaroscuro in Figure Drawing
- 10Drawing Small Units of the Body
- 11Hands: Structure and Gesture
- 12Feet: Structure and Weight
- 13Negative Space Exploration
- 14Head and Portrait Drawing from the Model
- 15Foreshortened Figure Studies
- 16Reproduction, Collage, and Mixed Approaches
Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.
§ 03 Final project
Students will complete a comprehensive figure drawing project demonstrating observation, proportion, tonal control, and expressive quality.
Deliverables
- A finished figure drawing from a live model showing accurate proportion, volume, and shading.
- Supporting studies including gesture drawings, contour sketches, and body-part studies.
- A short reflective note describing techniques used and learning outcomes achieved.
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