Charcoal Figure Drawing Studio Course (Cahir Arts)

In this course, you will learn how to capture the gesture and spirit of any pose as well as understanding the fundamental structure and anatomy of the human body. Our study of anatomy, however, will be limited to only what we need to know as artists, to help us identify and render important forms and landmarks in the body. You will also be shown how to simplify the human figure and then slowly build the forms that make up this complex subject.

As well as learning about the human figure, you will also radically improve your drawing skills overall – designing and measuring, assessing values, shading and handling different textures. All of this knowledge and technique is applicable to any subject matter, not just the figure.

Dynamics of Light & Shadow

The role of light and shadow on the figure and how they reveal form will be explained in detail, and you will be shown how to achieve these light effects convincingly. Charcoal is a powerful and versatile medium, producing a wide range of effects from dramatic chiaroscuro to subtle atmospheric tones.

In order to “turn form,” or represent light as it hits a three-dimensional object, first, we need to be able to understand this, then we need to identify it, and finally, we need to know and hone the skills and techniques needed to represent this using charcoal on paper.

Measurement & Proportion

The more accurate we are in our drawing – or true to nature – the more realistic and believable our drawing will be. Developing good measuring skills is therefore essential, especially for the human form. Measuring does not just relate to height, width, outline, and proportion; it also includes measuring a cast shadow, for instance, or where the highlight is, which then affects how we interpret the fall of light and the form of the object.

Line & Tone

We could categorise the entire drawing process into two major components: line and tone. One simple definition for these might be that:

• Line creates shape and outline – which relies on things like measurement, proportion, perspective, contour, and that
• Tone fills in these shapes – or concerns itself with what’s happening on the ‘inside’ of the form.

Developing a pristine shading technique is essential for detailing the effect of light on a subject. Light’s behaviour and effect is logical – there are no anomalies. Thus, our drawing technique must operate on the same level of accuracy if we are to render an object as realistically as possible. If our shading in a drawing is haphazard, careless, or illogical, then our drawing will quickly fall apart.

We will look in detail at the tools and paper we should use, and how to use them properly, as instruments of fine art.

Studio Best Practices

You will learn many important studio practices and useful information including:

• Materials and equipment
• Different art brands and shopping for the best art supplies
• Preparing paper and other supports
• Archiving or framing finished drawings

Artists, Styles & Periods

Along the way, you will learn about many great artists of the past and present, and the methods and techniques they employed to achieve the results they did.