Spring-Summer Semester Class: Intermediate Figure Drawing

This 11-week intermediate figure drawing course is designed for students looking to improve their skills and deepen their understanding of muscle groups and form construction, volume, proportion, and scale. Students will explore advanced techniques such as chiaroscuro, hatching, and cross-hatching to enhance depth and volume, while strengthening their knowledge of anatomy, anatomical landmarks, and line weight distribution. By the end of the course, students will have a stronger understanding of figure drawing and improved confidence in creating dynamic, expressive gestures.

This course uses live nude models, and as such, there is a strict age restriction of 19+ with no exceptions.

The course is also meticulously scheduled back to back with the uninstructed life drawing sessions held every Wednesday in the same location, offering students a valuable opportunity to immediately apply what they’ve learned in a self-directed setting.

Course Breakdown: 11-Week Figure Drawing Class

• Weeks 1–2: Muscle Groups and Form Construction
  Focus on understanding major muscle groups and form structure such as the torso, legs, arms, and head, design exaggeration so poses don’t look stiff, volume construction, and proportion and scale.
• Week 3: Intermediate Gesture Drawing
  Applying knowledge learned from Weeks 1 and 2 in fast gestures to longer poses. Focus on anatomy and landmarks, line weight distribution, and edge control.
• Weeks 4–5: Light and Shadow
  Shading through hatching and cross-hatching, and exploring different kinds of lighting, such as chiaroscuro.
• Weeks 6–7: Dynamic Poses and Foreshortening
  Practice drawing dynamic poses and extreme perspectives, including three-point perspective.
• Weeks 8–9: Portrait Structure
  Improve your portrait drawing through anatomical structure and volume studies, and familiarize yourself with portrait anatomy.
• Weeks 10–11: All Techniques
  Combining all techniques learned in class for a two-session long pose using painting or charcoal for a longer figure drawing pose.

Patricia Claro is a passionate Filipino Canadian artist with over nine years of experience in illustration and eight years of experience as an art educator. Currently based in Ottawa, she specializes in traditional and digital mediums, specifically character design, environmental art, and both 2D/3D digital painting. Patricia holds an honours diploma in Illustration from Seneca Polytechnic, has a background in Interior Design, as well as Layout for Animation. Currently a freelance book illustrator with FriesenPress, she’s excited to share her expertise in a hands-on, engaging workshop experience for aspiring artists of all levels.

• Conte (Black or Sanguine) OR Charcoal Stick (ANY), Charcoal Pencil (B OR 2B), Pastel Pencil (ANY COLOUR)
• Coloured Conte OR Coloured Chalk Pastel (ANY Light Colour, Ex. Light Blue, Green, Lilac, Pink)
• 6B, 7B, 8B OR 9B Pencil
• Sharpener OR Sandpaper Block Sharpener OR Sandpaper
• Straight Edge Tool (Example: A Long Thin Paintbrush, A Pencil, OR A Stick)
• Newsprint Pad (18 x 24)
• 18 x 24 Masonite Panel
• 2 Bulldog Clips
• Mixed Media Sketchbook (9 x 12 OR 11 x 14)
• Any Watercolour Set
• Refillable Brush OR #6 Round Brush

Also check out other Arts events in Ottawa, Fine Arts events in Ottawa, Workshops in Ottawa.