Final Figure drawing @ ACAD winter semester

We just finished our final figure drawing class of 7 for the winter semester at ACAD. The students got in some poses with model Angie and hung some of their work for a final constructive criticism discussion (not a critique) at the end. This session we focused on landmarks, structure and forms in proportion. Next session beginning in May I will cover muscles and beneath surface forms. Take a look at some of their pieces.

If you are interested in taking figure drawing at ACAD go down the page on this link and contact the ACAD con Ed department to reserve your spot.  LINK HERE: https://acad.ca/continuing-education/adult-and-teen-courses/adult-credit-free-courses/drawing

If you are interested in studying with me at the atelier or just dropping in for Long pose figure drawing sessions on Wednesday evenings you can go to http://ateleirartista.com.

This is still life

In my ACAD Drawing 1 class I taught an academic and systematic approach to plotting out the proportions for a still life, here is some of their work in process.

Pretty nice, eh?!

Go figure, more figure drawing class work

My figure drawing class fall semester session has come to an end. I want to share some more of the excellent pictures my students drew in hopes to inspire you too! In no particular order, including some opposite hand drawings (one done by a southpaw), with colours and gloves on and off. Enjoy!

Belas-artes Lisboa residency week 1

After getting settled and beginning to navigate around the city of Lisbon. I have two drawings completed that I am fairly happy with. Watch below and see what inspired me and how I developed this "Good Shepherd" drawing.

Still life with proper proportions

My Drawing 1 class focused on learning how to see and measure proportions with still life items they brought into class to sketch. The first thing to consider is creating an interesting and pleasing composition by arranging the various items together. I gave a quick demo to accompany my notes on how to build up the drawing from start to finish. By drawing the shapes as simple crystal like line drawings you can properly set them in the visual space.

It is good to be aware of what you can't see as much as what you can see when placing the objects and using comparative measuring techniques.  The intellectual part of this type of drawing helps you to train your eyes and hand while ignoring the brain that is second guessing and compensating incorrectly. turning that voice off can be liberating, like meditating, unfortunately that is no easy task. Below is some of the work they created in just one short class with me with the focus being on drafting proper proportions using comparative measurement.

My classes are the best.....

.......but the students last class let me know that they know and that they are humble anyway.

This makes me laugh so hard. Sometimes my students think I'm being hard on them for trying to get them to push further in their skills and development. Did somebody say Art was going to be easy because I don't remember then bit. It can be a real grind and the only way to improve is constant practice and study no matter how you look at it.

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In my figure drawing class we did a long lit detail study for the last half of the class and the pieces really began turning out. More time would be better for most drawings but lets not overlook the value of way less time too.

Persistence is key, so keep it up and keep practicing guys and girls you are doing great.
In the words of Mark Kistler "Draw. Draw. Draw."

Draw 'til you Drop V

Mark Vazquez-McKay put together another great drawing from life event for artists. I had to teach my final Drawing 1 class at ACAD on Saturday so, unfortunately, I couldn't do both days of the drawing event. However, It was still so worth spending the entire Sunday with the great group of people improving their skills and honing their craft. I am especially proud 3 of my past students joined in for the event. Their spirits are strong and I hope more can make it out and stand shoulder to shoulder with their peers in the future.

I am posting these Iphotos from the sketches I completed in my sketchbook and on one sheet of the new Mellotex paper I picked up from Swinton's (Thanks Doug and staff for introducing to me an exciting new product to experiment with). I did more drawings but didn't photo them yet but I will add them as soon as I do.

Quick poses as is the custom with an early start in the day to get the arm loosened up of the longer sessions. The one above top right was done in ink to get my hand ready because you can't erase the mistakes. Below that is one done in 6B. Thanks to Daisy Deville and her fantastic Burlesque models for working with us artists. It is great to mix subcultures to great benefit to both groups!

One of the rooms had a burlesque model who posed with attitude in a satyr costume. The other room had a great drawing opportunity but they were happening simultaneously and I unfortunately couldn't be in two places at once. Drat!  I went for horns and hooves since it is a lot more like my work. I am happy with how it turned out. However, by this put in the day I was tired, so I sat with my paper flat rather than standing so the work became contorted and out of proportion a bit which I find happens when you are making large work at an angle. I also experimented with some new blending materials on the new paper and had to rescue the face, though it does resemble the model. She said she really liked the piece to me after the session = :D

This is the final burlesque models pose for the final session of the event. Everybody was still going hard. The fatigue helps make more natural drawings I think and frees up the artist, thought it is a long road to take to get there lol.  If you'd like to join in the fun keep following this blog and I'll keep you posted about upcoming events like this.

Ciao for now  =:B