Sculpting with Light: Constructive Figure Drawing and the Art of the Longer Pose
Brenno Kenji
$657
UPDATE: This class is FULL
No Class: 1/19/26 (MLK Holiday)
In this class we'll focus on the third stage of the drawing process: light logic and form modeling. Working with poses ranging from 10 mins to 3 hrs, we'll explore how to translate the constructive scaffolding of form into a fully modeled, luminous figure study. We'll emphasize both linear and mass-oriented approaches to modeling the figure—ranging from structural clarity to painterly suggestion—so that students can develop a versatile toolkit for rendering the figure with depth, atmosphere, and vitality. Class includes lectures, demonstrations, work from the live model, and individualized feedback. All levels are welcome.
Topics covered include:
- Constructive scaffolding for light logic
- Two-value systems and halftones
- Linear vs. mass modeling
- Edges: soft, firm, lost, and found
- Light and shadow value grouping
- Global vs. local light logic
- Planes, transitions, gradations
- Gesture, design, and light
- Painterly methods in soft media
- Long-pose strategies
Required Supplies
Items marked with * are strongly recommended for all figure drawing classes. Items marked with ++ lend themselves to a more painterly/tonal approach to drawing.
MISC:
- 18 x 24” Drawing Board *
- Kneaded Eraser *
- Hard Eraser
- Utility Knife or X-Acto knife (for sharpening pencils) *
PAPER AND PENCILS
There is no “best” paper or pencil: what matters is the paper + pencil combination. Some pencils go great with certain kinds of paper, but not so much with others. Below are some recommendations :
- Paper (choose one - if unsure, the Sketch Paper is a good and relatively inexpensive all-around workhorse paper):
- Newsprint 18” x 24” pad (cheap, non-archival, great for building up mileage and for studies in general), OR
- Sketch Paper 18” x 24” pad (archival, relatively inexpensive, good all-around paper), OR
- Drawing Paper 18” x 24” pad (archival, more expensive and more durable - good for longer poses, and for a more intensive tonal approach)
Pencil (bring a selection):
- Charcoal Pencils ++ (2B or 4B) – works with any paper choice above (General’s and Ritmos are good brands) Charcoal Pencils (2B or 4B) – works with either paper choice above (General’s and Ritmos are good brands). Conte Pierre Noire pencils (2B) are also a good option.
- Conté Crayon sticks ++ (earth tones, black, and white) - works with any paper above
- Pastel Pencils ++ – also works with any paper choice above (Stabillo Carbothello, Conte, or Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel are good brands – pick a neutral or earth-color hue; avoid overly saturated, bright, or light colors)
- Wax-based color pencils – works best with Sketch or Drawing Paper Paper (Progresso Woodless Colored Pencils, Faber-Castell Polychromos, and Primacolor Premier are good brands – pick a neutral or earth-color hue; avoid overly saturated, bright, or light colors)
