Students will concentrate on heads and hands, but may also work on feet, ears, and other areas that inspire terror. Think of this class as a fun version of an “immersion therapy”. Gesture, contour, volume studies, simplified architectural shapes and general proportions help in observing and analyzing the problem areas. We will be tying these studies into the whole figure. Students should have some experience drawing from a model.

Objective: Learning to see and reproduce the true shapes of complex forms.

For most classes we will use the same format. Warm up will be blind contour and gesture. In these processes, we will explore conscious and subconscious observation. Most classes will include some demonstration. We will follow with 15-20 minute studies. We will emphasize at least one different approach each week. Among the approaches will be envelope forming and cutting away of negative spaces, organizational lines, geometric construction and cross contour, the idea of working from the simple to the complex, tonal drawing, light and dark pattern, and volume constructions. Usually the last drawing of each class will be connecting the head/hand to the model.

Optional as time allows: other “parts” like feet, knees, or elbows that students wish to study intensely.

Soft Vine or Willow Charcoal (12 sticks should be enough for 6 classes)

Kneaded Eraser

18″ x 24″ newsprint pad

Workable or final spray fixative (or Aquanet hair spray)

Drawing board (optional)

White, black, and brick red NuPastel, conte, or charcoal – sticks, soft

Graphite sticks or pencils, or woodless pencils – 6H, HB, 4B, 6B, and possibly others

Black pastel or Charcoal-type Paper – 2 sheets

1-3 sheets medium gray or various pale colors of charcoal or pastel papers

18” x 24” white drawing pad

Masking or drafting tape

Chamois skin or substitute