WARM-UP LESSON - PROPORTIONS AND FORM

One of the most important parts of creating a figurative artwork is to make sure the proportions are right. The curves, lines and volume need to be expressed in an outline for us to paint within. In this warm-up, we will use a simple technique to plot out the ‘space’ that our figure will fill, then use shapes to determine the size of the form.

lesson 1 - Standing figure from behind

First off we’ll create a simple standing figure which evokes a feeling of joy and movement. I encourage you to paint loosely and allow yourself to scribble with the pencil. Painting outside the lines is encouraged. We will use a few basic watercolours to create the dark and light tones, whilst leaving plenty of white space.

lesson 2 - Standing side figure

This figure builds on what we learned in our first lesson, we will change some of the colours and add some colour to her hair. This is a more static pose, however we create movement with our background colour and splatters.

LESSON 3 - Seated side figure

This lesson is a slightly more difficult pose, with more intricate shapes. Again we will return to the watercolours we used in lesson one, but add in some golden tones to help her skin to glow.

BONUS LESSON - Front-facing pastel figure

In this bonus lesson, I will show you a different way of creating a figure.  Pastels really lend themselves to a free and expressive way of creating.  I like to think of this process as ‘sculpting’ the figure, rather than drawing.  You can create a great sense of movement and emotion with the stroke of soft pastel, harnessing the loose expressive quality of the media.

who is this class for?

This class is for all levels wishing to explore figurative drawing and painting. The steps we follow are simple and methodical, creating an expressive and loose end result. Figures can be a daunting prospect, however, I have simplified the process so that anyone can follow along.

Supply List

This is a list of what I’ll be using in the class. The colours of the paints are not critical, any red or blue will work, however, I do highly recommend Raw Umber as it is a non-staining colour and will make your life much easier. Use the best paper you can afford as we will be doing a lot of ‘lifting’ of colour and good paper makes that a lot simpler.

• Watercolour paper – 3 sheets 26x36cm (10x14 inches) – I use Arches Cold Pressed

• Sheet of plain paper for warm-up lesson - A3 size (29.7x42cm)

• Watercolour brushes – I use

  • Jackson’s Raven Quill Mop round sizes  3/0 & 10/0

  • Jackson’s Pure Squirrel Mop size 6 & 8

• Watercolours (Raw Umber is an essential colour, for the others use what you have that is close)

  • Maimeri Blu: Raw Umber, Permanent Red Deep.

  • Sennelier:  French Ultramarine Blue, Raw Sepia, Caput Mortum, Quinacridone Gold, Purple Helios.

• 2b & 8b graphite pencil – I use Mars Lumograph 8b  & Graphgear 1000 0.9mm wide 2b.

• Tracing paper – 6 sheets A4 size

• Marking pens/markers (optional)

• Sharpener, eraser and ruler

• Paint palette, water jar, paper towels

Bonus Lesson Supplies:

• Toned textured cardstock paper 30x30cm

• Set of soft pastels - I use Art Spectrum Extra Soft Pastels in the following colours:

  • Orange A, Scarlet D, Lemon Yellow C, Lemon Highlight A, Red E, Poppy Red A, Yellowish Umber A, Pilbara Red C.

• Pastel pencils – purple and black

• Vine charcoal stick 

• Kneadable eraser

• Paper towel with a rough texture

• Easel, wet rag