OVERVIEW

Does the idea of “figure drawing” make you think of long hours, careful, laborious shading? That kind of academic training has its place — but what happens when you only have a few minutes, or when you’re sketching for a real painting that can’t wait for hours and hours?

That’s where Figure Quick Sketch comes in.

This workshop is about learning how to simplify, abbreviate, and prioritize, so you can capture the figure quickly and effectively — whether you’ve got two minutes or forty. We’ll look at how the great academic painters sketched for themselves, and how their quick notes carried all the essentials without getting bogged down. Along the way, we’ll explore when it pays to plan, when it’s better to wing it, and how just a few well-placed planes and accents can suggest the the complexity of your subject.

We’ll also try out different approaches — from pencil to pen and wash to toned paper — and see how each can make life easier (or harder!) depending on the situation. We’ll cover proportions, overlaps, and light/shadow shortcuts, plus quick solutions for problem spots like hands, feet, and heads. Finally, we’ll practice stringing sketches together into compositions, so you can start using quick sketching as both a playful habit and a practical tool for larger works.


Whether you’re a beginner looking for a light, fun intro to figure drawing, or you already have academic training and want something more practical for day-to-day work, this class will give you the tools to sketch with confidence, speed, and joy.

Artists of all levels are welcome!