Life Drawing Lessons from the Masters

This course seeks to systematically outline and guide you through, some of the fundamental principles that lead to a comprehensive proficiency for drawing the human figure. Each week introduces the student to a new aspect of competent figure drawing. Inclusive of an analysis of human anatomy, such as the bony landmarks of the skeleton and the major muscle groups of the human body. The course also lays a strong emphasis on learning from the drawings of the Old Masters. Students will be assigned a fortnightly drawing to copy and analyse in relation to the figure in class. This course is suitable for those with previous experience and for absolute beginners in life drawing.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

SUGGESTED READING

• Hale, Robert Beverley (2011, originally published in 1966) Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters, WATSON GUPTIL, ISBN ‎ 978-0823014019

COURSE OUTLINE

• Examine the use of figurative action, contour, artistic anatomy and shading in Old Master life drawings of both female and male figures.
• Apply the use of figurative action, contour, artistic anatomy and shading in Old Master life drawings to a study of the life model.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Begin to understand and grasp the processes of conceptualising, selecting and even creatively inventing from the human figure.
2. Critically employ Old Masters drawings as an aid to drawing the human figure.
3. Identify and draw anatomical forms in the figure.
4. Make use of or invent a light source to model form.

MATERIALS LIST

• Oil based pastel hard SANGUINE red, black and white chalk pencils
• Kneadable eraser and Stanley knife
• 2x A3 sheets of buff paper and x 2 A3 sheets of blue-grey paper
• 2x metal bulldog clips

IMPORTANT: Please arrive to the first class with all the relevant materials. A lack of materials is not just a handicap to you but to the ability to teach. Materials cost is not included in a course fee. In the event of a course being cancelled WEA cannot be held responsible for the purchase of any course materials. We therefore suggest you purchase your materials closer to the time of the course commencing.

ART SUPPLY STOCKISTS

The following stockists below are examples of places you can buy art materials from:

• Art on King: 199-201 King Street, Newtown. Ph: 9516 2342
• Eckersley's Art and Craft Store: 93 York Street, Sydney. Ph: 9299 4151. Also located in various locations throughout Greater Sydney.
• Parkers Art Supplies: 3 Cambridge Street, The Rocks. Ph: 9247 9979
• The Art Scene: 914 Victoria Road, West Ryde. Ph: 9807 6900
• The Sydney Art Store: 11 Salisbury Street, Botany. Ph: 9699 2162

You can also purchase materials from places such as Dymocks, Officeworks, Spotlight, Lincraft or online art suppliers such as Art Shed Online.