Winter Semester Class: Intro to Figure Drawing

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to figure drawing, designed to help students build strong foundational skills. Through a series of guided exercises, students will explore gesture drawing to capture movement and energy, and develop eye-hand coordination for more accurate mark-making. Key techniques include volume studies, foreshortening, and identifying body landmarks to create believable forms. Students will also practice contour and blind contour drawing, while learning the principles of anatomical proportion and structure. By the end of the course, students will have improved confidence and a stronger understanding of how to draw the human figure.

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.

In this course, students will develop foundational skills in figure drawing through a variety of techniques. Lessons will focus on gesture drawing, improving eye-hand coordination, and exploring volume, foreshortening, and body landmarks. Students will also practice contour and blind contour drawing, while gaining a deeper understanding of anatomical proportion and form. This course is designed to strengthen observational skills and build confidence in drawing the human figure.

• Weeks 1–2: The Skeleton Focus on anatomy, proportion, and identifying key body landmarks.
• Week 3: Volume Study and Foreshortening Develop form through 3D volume drawing and learn basic foreshortening techniques.
• Week 4: Contour and Blind Contour Drawing Train observational accuracy and line sensitivity through contour exercises.
• Weeks 5–6: Hands and Feet Study structure, proportion, and common gesture forms of hands and feet.
• Weeks 7–8: 360° Head Drawing Practice drawing the head from multiple angles to understand structure and rotation.
• Weeks 9: 360° Figure Drawing Full-body figure drawing practice from varied angles using all prior techniques.
• Week 10: Gesture Drawing Integration Apply all techniques learned in expressive, dynamic gesture drawing sessions.

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 Pastel Stick (Holbein or Any Brand, Black, Brown or Any Dark Colour)
• Charcoal Stick (ANY) OR 6B, 7B, 8B OR 9B Pencil
• Sharpener
• 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

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