Introduction to Figure Drawing

Classes

Introduction to Figure Drawing at 3 Square Art is a six-week course designed to provide artists with essential skills for drawing the human form. Starting with dynamic gesture drawing, it covers proportions, anatomy, and detailed studies of hands, feet, and the head. Students learn techniques like gesture sketching, geometric structuring, contour drawing, and shading.

Class 1 - Gesture and Form, Capturing the Essence of Movement
Dive into the dynamic world of figure drawing by exploring the essence of movement and expression through gesture drawing. This class focuses on breaking down the figure into simple lines of action and geometric shapes, allowing you to capture the energy and flow of a pose in just a few strokes. Through quick, iterative exercises, you'll build confidence in creating expressive and fluid drawings, setting a strong foundation for your artistic journey.

Class 2 - Mastering Proportions, Unlocking the Secrets of Balance
Tired of figures that look disproportionate? This session tackles the art of measuring the human form with precision. Using the head as our unit of measure, you'll learn to scale the entire body accurately. We'll explore how to place features and limbs in harmony, ensuring your drawings stand tall and true to life. Practice will be hands-on, as we draw and refine our figures, aligning them with classical proportions.

Class 3 - Skeletons, The Architecture of the Body
Great figure drawing starts with understanding what lies beneath the surface. This class takes you “under the hood” to study the human skeleton, focusing on its structure and how it supports movement. You'll sketch from skeleton references and gain insights into how bones shape the body’s form. By labeling and drawing key skeletal features, you'll develop a solid grasp of anatomical foundations essential for figure drawing.

Class 4 - Muscles, Bringing Life to the Figure
Add depth and vitality to your drawings by understanding the body's major muscles. In this session, you'll learn where muscles are located, their shapes, and how they interact to create movement and form. Through hands-on exercises, such as layering muscle groups over skeleton references, you'll build a deeper appreciation for anatomy and gain tools to create figures that feel alive and dynamic.

Class 5 - Hands and Feet, Tackling the Toughest Details
Hands and feet are often the most challenging parts of figure drawing—but they don’t have to be. In this class, you'll simplify their complex forms into basic shapes and build them up with confidence. By examining the underlying structure and practicing from various angles, you'll develop techniques to tackle these intricate details and bring polish to your figure drawings.

Class 6 - The Face, Capturing Expression and Character
The human face is a canvas of expression, full of subtle details and emotions. In this final class, you'll focus on the anatomy and proportions of the face, breaking it down into manageable shapes and planes. Learn techniques to draw accurate facial features—eyes, nose, mouth, and ears—and understand how they work together to convey personality. By studying both structure and expression, you'll develop the skills to bring faces to life and add a compelling focal point to your figure drawings.