The 5-minute Pose: Setting yourself up for success in figure drawing
Brenno Kenji
$657
When drawing from life, most key decisions happen in the first five minutes. How do we begin in a way that captures the freshness and energy of the pose—and sustain that momentum as we build?
In this 9-week class, we focus on those crucial first minutes. Working from the live model, you’ll learn a clear, intuitive approach to quickly and effectively lay in the figure, capturing action before it stiffens into a pose. We’ll develop strategies to sharpen decision-making and distinguish the essential from the inessential. The 5-minute drawing becomes both a complete work and a strong foundation for longer poses. Classes include demonstrations, lectures, live model drawing, and individual feedback. All levels welcome.
Topics include:
- lay-in and proportional systems
- key landmarks
- gesture and line of action
- figure construction and rhythm dynamic anatomy
- line quality light logic and 2-value structure
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.
Miscellaneous:
- 18 x 24” Drawing Board *
- Kneaded Eraser *
- Hard Eraser
- Utility Knife or X-Acto knife (for sharpening pencils) *
Papers & 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),
- Sketch Paper 18” x 24” pad (archival, relatively inexpensive, good all-around paper)
- 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
