(8)-Week Course $190.00       Classes are forming for the Fall of 2022       Spaces are LIMITED

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

   This (8)-week program is in (2)-hour weekly sessions.  This course is designed for beginners who want to learn the basics of drawing from life.  Drawing realistically has been a revered art ever since the ancients used mark-making to create the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface. Students will develop their representational drawing skills using a variety of charcoal media.  As the course progresses, students will draw from still life, photographic references, and finally a live model. Through a series of demonstrations, in-class drawing, group critiques, and individual assistance from the teacher, students will develop their ability to draw convincingly from life. Focus topics include: composition, proportion, value relationships, edge relationships, modeling, materials, and stylization. In-class drawing exercises will focus on subjects exposed to one-source lighting and will vary in length from quick studies to more developed compositions.

COURSE OUTLINE:

WEEK: 1 & 2 - STILL LIFE: Drawing Basics

    • Introduction to course: objectives, syllabus, and materials

    • Lecture/Demonstration: the basics of drawing from life using the still life as a subject, use of materials and mediums

    • Exercise: observational drawing from photograph and live still life in charcoal on paper, learning the use of lighting and texture with composition. Life: Observational Drawing Fundamentals

    • Exercise: drawing from different perspectives in charcoal on paper. Working with lighting and composition to create great layouts

    • Demonstration: more on observational drawing – focus on form under light, cast and proportion/scaling, techniques, positive and negative shapes in composition

WEEK: 3, 4 & 5 - PHOTOGRAPHIC REFERENCES: Technique

    • Exercise: several quick studies based on 1 photographic reference - focus on implementing different techniques and capturing a different mood in each composition as students move around the subject.

    • Lecture/Discussion: using different techniques to vary the focus, mood, and message of the drawing; evaluating and addressing tones • Exercise: observational drawing from a photographic reference in charcoal on paper

    • Critique Work with class

WEEK: 6, 7 & 8 - PHOTOGRAPHIC & LIVE MODEL: Figure Drawing Fundamentals; Heads & Hands, Composition & Usage of Mediums

   Week: 6

      • Exercise: several quick studies based on the photographic model

      • Demonstration: more on figure drawing – focus on form under light, cast and form shadows, proportions, and differentiating value and edge relationships; general proportions and anatomy of the head and hands

      • Exercise: observational drawing from the subject in charcoal on paper

   Week: 7

      • Exercise: several quick studies based on the live model

      • Lecture/Discussion: methods of emphasis and de-emphasis; examples of notable figurative drawings from art history will be used to communicate these concepts – focus on traditional works

      • Exercise: observational drawing from the live model in charcoal on paper – focus on extended poses

      • Critique

   Week: 8

      • Live Model: Introduction to Ink and Color

      • Exercise: several quick studies to longer pose based on the live model

      • Demonstration: introduction to ink media – ink pen, toned washes, line, value, and edge; stylization and expressive methods of translating form

      • Demonstration: introduction to color – focus on soft color pastels on toned paper

      • Exercise: observational drawing from the live model using your choice of media

      • Critique

      • Discussion: closing discussion

MATERIALS: Please Bring All Your Materials to Class Every Week

    • Graphite pencils ranging in density (HB, B, 2B)

    • Charcoal pencils ranging in density (medium)

    • Compressed charcoal (hard & soft, several sticks)

    • White drawing paper pad (18x24”), you will need approx. 5 sheets/day

    • Rough newsprint pad (18x24”), you will need approx. 5 sheets/day, for weeks 6-8 (bring entire pad)

    • Straight-edge ruler (12” minimum)

    • Kneaded eraser

    • X-acto knife with blades

    • Hand pencil sharpener

    • Sketchbook (min (8x10”), (choose a size that fits into your bag)

    • Drawing clipboard

    • Several sticks of soft color pastel (basic set)

    • Waterproof black India ink

    • Watercolor/ink brushes

    • Archival pastel paper in varieties of grey (several sheets)

    • Watercolor or Bristol paper (several sheets)

Materials can be ordered online at: Dakota Pastels or picked up at: Dick Blick located in Carle Place, 11514

Child classes are held M-F at: Art & Soul Studios in Nesconset, 11767