Gesture Drawing: Capturing the Essence of the Figure
Teachers: Kae Yu
Capturing the Essence of Figure
Dive into the dynamic world of figure drawing in our 8-week course, “Gesture Drawing,” designed to hone your observational and drawing skills. Inspired by the renowned methods of Kimon Nicolaides, this class is perfect for artists of all levels seeking to capture the fluidity and motion of the human form.
Class Structure
Each week, we focus on different aspects of gesture drawing, emphasizing quick, expressive sketches that capture the essence of the model’s pose and movement. You’ll learn to observe and record forms with immediacy, understanding the underlying structure of the human body.
Techniques and Skills
The course covers a variety of Nicolaides-inspired techniques, including:
- Blind contour drawing: Enhancing your observational skills by drawing without looking at the paper.
- Continuous line drawing: Creating fluid, uninterrupted lines that trace the form and movement.
- Dynamic sketching: Capturing the energy and rhythm of the model’s pose.
Approach and Benefits
This approach encourages spontaneity and a deeper connection with your subject, moving beyond mere representation to convey emotion and action. This class is not just about improving your drawing skills; it’s about changing the way you see and interpret the human form.
Referenced in picture: Kimon Nicolaides
Materials List
- Sketch paper or Newsprint- 18×24″
- Soft vine or willow charcoal sticks
- Compressed charcoal sticks (not charcoal pencils)
- Plastic eraser such as General’s Tri-Tip
- Folder or binder for handouts
- (Returning artists: consider upgrading to Strathmore charcoal or drawing paper. Drawing medium is your choice.)
