Beginners Drawing Lessons

Would you like to learn how to draw a portrait in the traditional manner and feel your confidence grow with each class.

The beginners drawing classes will consist of a number of drawing exercises aimed portraiture. From learning the basics of  how to sharpen a pencil correctly on to finishing a portrait.

The principles taught in this course are the foundation of classical art techniques. Even if you just learn the basics, you will see an improvement in your work. The class will be structured to accommodate beginners or individuals looking to improve their skills.

Louis Smith will be leading the workshop demonstrating each step in front of the class. The course inludes homework that Louis will critique every week.

Measuring

Measuring is the cornerstone to classical realist art, if you want to get a good likeness, then knowing how to measure is critical. The first couple of weeks will be spent learning how to measure and draw correctly. The exercises below are designed to train your eye to observe and describe the forms that make up the face.

Week 1 Construct & Articulation (eye)
Classwork
Pencil Sharpening, learn how to sharpen a pencil correctly
Plotting, the basics of measuring using the sight size method.
Master Copy, copy example of Charles Bargue construct of an eye
Application, draw the construct of an eye using the methods learned
Homework
Repeating eye contruct exercises

Week 2  Construct & Articulation (nose & mouth)
Classwork
Critique homework
Master Copy, copy example of Charles Bargue construct of nose and mouth
Application, draw a construct of  nose and mouth by applying what you have learned
Homework
Repeating nose and mouth contruct exercises at home

Shading

The shading is based on the simple technique of dividing the features into smaller and smaller planes.

Week 3 Planes of the eyes
Classwork
Critique homework
Anatomy of the eyes
Copy example, planes of the eyes based on the assaro head
Application, draw the planes of the eye using the techniques you have learned
Homework
Repeat the exercise at home

Week 4 Planes of the nose and mouth
Classwork
Critique homework
Anatomy of the nose and mouth
Copy example, planes of the nose and mouth based on the assaro head
Application, draw the planes of the nose and mouth using the method you have learned
Homework
Repeating the exercise at home

Week 5 Planes of the ears
Classwork
Critique homework
Anatomy of the ears
Copy example, planes of the nose ears  based on the assaro head
Application, draw the planes of the nose and mouth using the method you have learned
Homework
Repeat the exercise at home

Week 6 Triangle of the face
Classwork
Critique homework
Putting the eyes nose and mouth together
Homework
Repeating the exercise at home

Finishing

The last part of this course will be spent rendering the full head. We will be gathering the elements together and focus on the whole head. For that we will be using a different measuring technique, comparative measurements and proportions.

Week 7 Anatomy of light
Classwork
Critique homework
Lecture, anatomy of light
Render a sphere
Homework
Render a cylinder

Week 8 Comparitive measurements, proportion and perspective
Classwork
Critique homework
Proportion, using the proportions of the head to find units of measurement
Comparative measurent, taking the units of measurement to compare the distances for the rest of the head
Perspective, relating to the face
Elipses, relating to the iris
Homework
Exercises relating to the class

Week 9 Construct & Shadow Shapes,
Classswork
Critique homework
Construct, articulation
Fill in shadow shapes
Homework
Repeat the steps in class on a different subject.

Week 10 Main Structure
Classwork
Critique homework
Grouping of the darks
Darkest dark and lightest light
Fall of light
Homework
Repeat the steps in class on home project

Week 11 Main Structure
Classwork
Critique homework
Big Form Modeling
Main Planes, Top, bottom, front, side of each feature
Homework
Repeat the steps in class on home project

Week 12 Finishing
Classwork
Critique homework
Subdividing each plane into smaller and smaller planes
Edges, softening edges
Homework
Repeat the steps in class on home project