Approaches to Constructive Figure Drawing - From the Renaissance to the Reilly Method and Beyond

Join us for a two-day workshop exploring diverse approaches to constructing the human figure, grounded in the principles of draftsmanship. These timeless principles will not only enhance your ability to understand what you see but will also empower you to design with intention, draw confidently from imagination, and create compelling figures from life. From the synthetic forms employed by Renaissance masters to the dynamic rhythms of the Reilly abstraction, you’ll learn a structured, three-stage process for figure drawing. 

We’ll begin with a gestural lay-in, focusing on the landmarks of the body to capture the essence and action of the pose quickly and effectively. Next, we’ll break down the figure into simple volumes to establish presence and structure. Finally, we’ll refine the drawing by exploring the rhythms of anatomy and orchestrating shapes to create harmonious, flowing designs. This information-rich workshop features live demonstrations of every principle and technique, accompanied by hands-on opportunities to draw from a live model. With plenty of individualized feedback, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of figure drawing and the tools to draw with confidence and authority.

Instruction Medium: Charcoal, pastel pencils, or colored pencils