Making Art from Life

Class Description

This course covers methods and techniques used to create art from life. Observational life drawing strengthens artists of all styles and mediums.

Students will get to set up their own still life arrangements from their home, and can explore mediums they are interested in while also learning fundamental principles of visual art.

We will learn about proportion, composition, measuring, working from vague to specific, and rendering.

Life drawing and painting specific skills will be covered such as:
Using plumb lines, measuring angles, proportions, negative shapes, and how to compare and connect different areas of the piece to create unity and movement.

Class Requirements

This class will require students to set up their own still life arrangements of 2-3 objects from around their house. I will suggest days to use fruit/vegetables, dishware, or other items, but any still life arrangement will work for each class.
Students will need a camera and email to send photos of their work, so please have a cell phone or other method available.
In this course, you may choose from the following mediums:
Painting: Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Gouache, Ink, Tempura, Digital
Drawing: Markers, Crayons, Color Pencils, Pastel, Charcoal, Graphite, Ink, Digital

Class Supplies

A skewer, knitting needle, or other long, thin, and straight item

Thread and a bolt or other weight that the thread can be tied to.

Straight edge tool such as a ruler (this can be laid against a tablet for digital artists)

Large enough surface for you to feel comfortable working. Larger substrates, such as 9"x12" or larger are more comfortable for most artists, but any size will work. Depending on the medium, sketchbooks are acceptable.

Use whatever art supplies you would like to use! The techniques taught in this class will apply to digital and traditional drawing, as well as painting. Oil painters should expect to only complete an underpainting during the class period.
We will start with light marks on our surface that can later be covered up or left exposed as the piece develops. Keep this in mind as you choose your medium!