Fridays with Francesco: Block-In and Rendering in Charcoal(Ages 18+)

Join Francesco for a one-day workshop on different aspects of figure drawing.  These workshops are designed to give beginners a way to understand and learn how to draw and intermediate to advanced students a way to improve their drawing, focusing on the human figure.  Francesco will share basics on materials.  He will then cover anatomy, structure, and gesture; core shadows, sighting, and clock angles.  This class will include lessons from photographic reference and a live nude  model.  $5 to be paid directly to the instructor for photographic reference.

In this workshop students will copy one painting of an Italian Baroque master using charcoal.  One or two good quality charcoal paper sheets 18×24″ will be needed.  (Francesco will NOT have those available for in class purchase.)  The process used for this copy will be unusual.  Students will be handed a series of 4 out-of-focus images that will incrementally get sharper, with a 5th image completely in focus.  Copying the the artist’s use of shadows and overall approach to value, students will learn how to control tones and how to start a drawing by studying the tonal composition rather than just copying details.  Both additive (adding charcoal) and subtractive (erasing charcoal) techniques will be employed.  The last 2 hours of the workshop will be spent in fine rendering.

Francesco’s one on one assistance and feedback ensure beginning students understanding, and keeps advanced and returning students engaged and challenged.

Bring a bag lunch.

Supply list:

• charcoal pencils 2B and 4B
• Compressed Charcoal stick
• 1 or 2 sheets charcoal paper 18×24″
  • 400 series or comparable 80lb
• 1 White plastic eraser ($2)
• 1 Kneaded eraser ($2)
• 1 Loew-Cornell Sandpaper Block ($3)
• Blending stumps assorted sizes 4 pc. ($2)
• Paper towels
• $5 to be paid directly to the instructor for photographic reference

No oils, solvent or fixatives are allowed in the class

Class Refund Policy