Fundamentals of Constructive Head Drawing

Fundamentals of Constructive Head Drawing

Class | This program is completed

1501 10th Ave East Seattle, WA 98102 United States

Room 308

All Levels

4/9/2024-5/7/2024

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

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$375.00

$337.50

$20.00

In this hands-on 5-week class, we will learn the fundamentals of how to draw the human head with an emphasis on volumetric construction, planar structure, expressive rhythms, 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. In addition to being a thorough, hands-on introduction to the key principles and practices of constructive head drawing, it also works as an excellent preparation for the "Alla Prima Head Painting" class that I will be teaching in the second half of the Spring quarter.

Each class we will draw from the live model, applying what we learn to a variety of characters, expressions, ages, and types. Class will include demonstrations, lectures, and plenty of hands-on individual feedback as students draw from the live model. All levels are welcome.

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
- The structural planes of the head
- Anatomical rhythms and their expressive power
- Light logic: the 2-value system and the 5-value system
- Facial features and their structural breakdown
- Beyond Likeness: Character, Gesture and Expression

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

    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)