Sculpting with Light: Constructive Figure Drawing and the Art of the Longer Pose

Sculpting with Light: Constructive Figure Drawing and the Art of the Longer Pose

January 12 - March 16
M
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
All Levels
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)
Brenno Kenji

Brenno Kenji

Brenno Kenji has been teaching figure drawing for over 12 years. He has studied under Steve Huston, Karl Gnass, Glenn Vilppu, Kevin Chen, and  the late...

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