Class 102. The Human Figure and Portraiture on Zoom | K. & S. Goldman

Instructor: Ken and Stephanie Goldman

Tuesdays, 9:30 AM–12:30 PM

February 7–28 (4 weeks, 12 total hours of instruction)

Online

$225 members/245 nonmembers

This is a unique opportunity to study with two accomplished and warmhearted artist-educators in the same class. Ken and Stephanie are both well known for their ability to help each person find their own unique drawing abilities. For the first two weeks, you will study with Stephanie in various dry drawing mediums. In the last two weeks, Ken will introduce students to color theory and watercolor portraits or figures.

This online class offers a time-tested, basic approach to painting and drawing the human figure or portrait using carefully selected, high-resolution videos and photographs of clothed or nude models. In addition, masterful works by other artists (past and present) will studied for further instruction and inspiration.

There will be long and short poses from which you will learn to simplify forms into spheres, cylinders, and cubes and create the illusion of three-dimensionality with directional shading. We will break down and discuss the nuances of the five main features—eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and neck—with videos and notes of each sent to your email.

Beginners are encouraged to work in pencil, charcoal, and pan pastel, while those with more experience may work in other mediums, such as watercolor, acrylics, or oils. All levels are welcome, as instruction and demonstrations are given on both an individual and group basis.

Materials: Since this is an online class, just use the materials you are already comfortable with. You do not need to buy anything on this list. It is just a suggestion: the simpler the better. For gestures, you need only newsprint; a drawing board (a piece of 3/16″ thick foam-core drawing support cut to 19″ x 25″, with four bulldog clips); very soft vine charcoal; a kneaded eraser; and one-color pastel for accents.

Suggested Optional Materials by Medium:

Graphite: two mechanical pencils (a 2 mm mechanical holder with 4B leads and a 0.5 mechanical pencil with 2B leads); kneaded eraser; blending stump; small sanding block; rag; drawing pad, 18″ x 24″, Strathmore 300 Series (or any brand you have); drawing support mentioned above.

Charcoal: 4B charcoal pencil; softest vine charcoal; rags or Viva paper towels; kneaded eraser.

Pastel: soft vine charcoal; NuPastel, box of 96 pieces; Canson-brand pastel paper, #429, 426, or 431; foam-core drawing board cut one inch larger than your paper, with four bulldog clips.

Beginning Watercolor: One tube each Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna paint for first session; more colors if you have them. (We will discuss additional colors at the first meeting.) Large, covered Woods or Pike palette or your favorite traveling palette; a #12 pointed and 1″ flat brush; facial tissues; Arches or other good quality paper (no Strathmore student-grade watercolor paper).

Oil: up to 18″ x 24″ canvas board (prime with single light wash of Golden Acrylic Gray Value #6); Robert Simmons filbert brushes #2, 4, 8, 12; Gamsol odorless mineral spirits with container; Liquin; Viva paper towels; disposable paper, wood, or glass palette (plastic palette saver to store them); Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, and Permalba White paint for first session; if experienced, also bring a warm and cool of each primary color or whatever colors you normally use.

Acrylic: same as oils, except no mineral spirits, just a container for water.

Immediately after you register, look for a confirmation email and receipt from Eventbrite. In the week preceding the class start date, you will receive another email with more details.

About Online Classes via Zoom:

The technology to take one of our online classes is surprisingly simple. You need only a computer or tablet with a camera, microphone, and internet connection, and we are here to help, should you experience any technical difficulties.