Constructive Head Drawing

Constructive Head Drawing

360 Online Class | Available

All Levels

4/13/2024-6/15/2024

6:30 PM-9:30 PM PDT on Sat

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$600.00

$540.00

$20.00

To assist you in preparing for this class, we have provided a link to the setup / test pages from the conference provider. If you have never used this conference service before please click on the link below so that your PC or device will be ready to participate in this class.

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In this 10-week online class, we will explore in-depth how to draw the human head with an emphasis on volumetric construction, expressive rhythms, tonal organization, and character. This constructive approach will empower you to quickly identify and indicate the key structural landmarks of the head, allowing you to capture its form, character, and expression quickly and effectively.

Drawing from a variety of photographic references and masterworks, we will learn how to construct the head from the ground up, applying the knowledge to a variety of characters, expressions, ages, and types. Classes will meet weekly via Zoom, and will include lectures, individual and group feedback, as well as instructor demonstrations in both digital and traditional media.

Topics covered include:
- The 5 minute lay-in
- The three key masses of the skull
- 2 proportional systems
- The key anatomical landmarks of the head
- Head and neck
- Comparative approaches to the planes of the head
- The Reilly rhythms as beyond
- Anatomical rhythms and their expressive power
- Light logic: the 2-value system and the 5-value system
- Anatomical and structural breakdown of the facial features
- Likeness, Character and Expression
- The effects of age
- The anatomy of expression: facial expressions
- Drawing hair
- Value organization and tonal composition

  • You are welcome to work digitally or traditionally (or both). If you want to improve your technique and your line quality, I strongly recommend working traditionally at least for some of the assignments.

    Below is a recommended supply list if you choose to go the traditional route:

    Misc:
    18 x 24 inch Drawing Board
    Kneaded Eraser
    Hard Eraser
    Utility Knife or X-Acto knife (for sharpening pencils)
    Large Sketchbook

    Paper and Pencils:
    There is no “best” paper or pencil: what matters is the paper + pencil combination. Some pencils go great with certain kinds of paper, but not so much with others. Below are some recommendations:

    Paper (choose one):
    SMOOTH Newsprint 18” x 24”pad, OR
    Sketch (bond) paper 18” x 24” pad (Strathmore Sketch pad or Canson XL pads are good choices)

    Pencil (bring a selection):
    Charcoal Pencils (2B or 4B) – works with either paper choice above (General’s and Ritmos are good brands)
    Pastel Pencils – also works with either paper choice above (Stabillo Carbothello or Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel are good brands – pick a neutral or earth-color hue; avoid overly saturated, bright, or light colors)
    Wax-based color pencils – works with Sketch (bond) Paper
    (Progresso Woodless Colored Pencils, Faber-Castell Polychromos, and Primacolor Premier are good brands – pick a neutral or earth-color hue; avoid overly saturated, bright, or light colors)