• Try “portfolio”, “ink”, “branding” or a code like “PRS 101”.

IFA 103Illustration and Fine Arts

Figure and Gesture Drawing

Draw the human figure with life and structure: gesture, proportion, simplified anatomy, foreshortening and clothed figures, from life and from references.

Planned

About this course

The figure is the hardest and most rewarding subject in drawing. This course starts with gesture, the movement and rhythm of a pose, then adds structure with proportion guides and simplified anatomical masses. You will draw hands, heads and feet, handle foreshortening and light, and draw clothed people in everyday settings. Proportion systems are taught as starting points, with attention to the real variety of bodies. The course covers finding life drawing sessions and using photo references responsibly.

Who it’s for: Artists who have completed Seeing and Drawing (or have equivalent observational skills) and want to draw people convincingly.

You will be able to

  • Capture the gesture of a pose in drawings of 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
  • Construct a figure using proportion guides and simplified anatomical masses.
  • Draw hands, heads and feet with believable structure.
  • Draw foreshortened and clothed figures with a consistent light source.
  • Draw from life and from references responsibly, and keep a figure sketchbook.

Prerequisites

Studio project

A sustained figure drawing in value supported by gesture, construction and sketchbook work showing progress across the course.

To complete this course

  • Complete every required lesson.
  • Have the assignment “Figure drawing portfolio” accepted by an instructor.
  • Records of completion are issued only for courses whose content has passed instructor review.

Syllabus

Working titles: they may change as the course is written.

  1. Module 1: Gesture

    Capturing movement and rhythm before detail.

    1. 1.1Gesture and the line of actionReading · 30 min
    2. 1.2Timed pose drillsExercise · 45 min

  2. Module 2: Proportion and structure

    Building the figure from simple, solid forms.

    1. 2.1Proportion guides and real bodiesReading · 30 min
    2. 2.2Simplified anatomy: ribcage, pelvis and limbsReading · 40 min
    3. 2.3Hands, heads and feetStudio · 60 min

  3. Module 3: The figure in space and light

    Making figures sit convincingly in their environment.

    1. 3.1Light and value on the figureExercise · 45 min
    2. 3.2ForeshorteningReading · 35 min
    3. 3.3Clothed figures and draperyExercise · 40 min

  4. Module 4: Practice and sources

    Building a sustainable figure drawing practice.

    1. 4.1Drawing from life and from referencesReading · 25 min
    2. 4.2Studio: a figure sketchbook weekStudio · 60 min

Author: Ricketts University curriculum team (draft for founder review) · Not yet reviewed

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