Drawing the Clothed Figure

Drawing the Clothed Figure

Class | This program is completed

All Levels
9/12/2023-11/14/2023
6:30 PM-9:30 PM PDT on Tue
$600.00
$540.00
$20.00

Drawing the Clothed Figure

Class | This program is completed

In this hands-on 10-week class, we will learn how to draw the clothed figure using a 3-stage process that will empower you to draw with confidence and authority from life as well as from imagination. We will focus on two main aspects as we engage in an in-depth exploration of the clothed figure in the context of drawing:

1) Characterization: emphasizing style, the structural components of the costume, its story, and character (key skills for character design, fashion drawing, and the dressed figure in fine arts);
2) Describing action, gesture, and motion through the expressive power of clothing as it maps the human body and its movements (a key skill for animators, storyboard artists, sketch artists, or anyone interested in representing the dressed figure in action)

Every week we will draw from live models wearing different kinds of clothes and costumes (from street clothes to formal attires, from a variety of times, fashions, cultures, and places.

Topics covered include:
- The general model, the basic lay-in, and the 'human wire hanger';
- The key points of articulation, flow, and radiation;
- Folds vs. wrinkles;
- The seven types of folds;
- Volumetric description and shape design through clothing;
- Seams, construction lines, and the anatomy of costumes;
- Clothing and gesture;
- Characterizing the figure through clothing and telling stories through costume;
- Describing action through folds: dynamic and inert folds;
- Light logic applied to costume drawing;"

  • We recommend that everyone registered for an in-person program at Gage Academy of Art receives full COVID-19 vaccination. Gage leaves the use of face coverings when indoors at the facility up to each individual as masks are not required.


  • Misc:
    - 18" x 24" 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 well 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)
    - Optional: Toned Paper (Canson Mi-Teintes or Ingres). Choose neutral grays, blues, or earth colors.

    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 colored 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)

    - White pastel pencils or white charcoal pencils (to go with optional toned paper)
Brenno Kenji