Course 1006, section 1: Summer Quarter 2008
Figure Drawing for Beginners!
Sponsored by: ASUW Experimental
College
Location: University of Washington campus (Seattle branch)
Summer quarter dates and times: Saturdays 1 pm-2:45 pm, July 19-August
9
Course fee (for General Public): $99
Nils Osmar, instructor
In this class you'll learn how to draw
the human figure using an easy step-by-step method. We'll start
by sketching some figures based on simple underlying shapes, then
add in the details. You'll learn about proportions and foreshortening,
motion and action, and how to use shading to make the figure look
real and three-dimensional. No need to buy or bring any art materials;
they're all provided. (Scroll down for registration information)
What will we be doing in the class?
We'll start off with some exercises to help students get comfortable
with the materials, then move on to drawing simplified figures
based on simple underlying shapes such as ovals and cylinders.
(The instructor will draw the shapes on a chalkboard, and ask
students to draw along.)
We'll practice the simplified figures for a while, then start
learning about the proportions. Again, we'll have lots of time
in class to practice and make sure things are doing well at this
stage.
After we've learned and practiced the proportions, we'll learn
how to add in the muscles and other details. We'll also learn
about foreshortening, light and shade, and how to use negative
space (the shape of the space around the figure you're drawing)
to help get a resemblance to the particular person you're drawing.
(scroll down for more information)
By the end of the class, you'll have learned techniques that will
make you more comfortable drawing people, whether you're drawing
them from life, photos, or from your imagination. You'll have
fun, draw a lot, and learn a lot.
Is this a life drawing class where we draw from a live model?
It's not a life drawing class per se, but a step-by-step figure
drawing class. This means that we may do some drawing from live
models, but it is not all we will do. Our main focus will be on
learning an easy method of understanding the figure and getting
down the shapes and proportions, so that students can get a good
result whether they're drawing from life, photos or imagination.
Does this course cover drawing faces too?
We do learn some information about sketching heads and faces,
but most of our time will be spent on the rest of the figure.
If you want in-depth information about how to draw heads and faces
from different angles, how to draw facial expressions, etc., you
should also take Learn
to Draw Faces.
Will we learn about drawing hands?
Yes, one of the class sessions will cover how to draw hands (and
feet).
It sounds fun! But I'm really new at drawing. Should I take
a beginning drawing class first?
Figure Drawing for Beginners is an easy, step-by-step class and
is open to everyone, regardless of experience level. Both beginners
and experienced artists usually do well in the course. (If you
are looking for a good introductory drawing class, check out Drawing
for absolute beginners, by the same instructor. But again,
you're welcome in Figure Drawing whether you take the beginning
drawing class or not.)
Is it really possible to learn the basics of figure drawing
in only four class sessions?
The human figure is challenging and interesting to draw, and artists
study it for years sometimes. But you can learn a great deal of
key information in a few classes, if the information is well organized
and there is an opportunity to practice it. Our goal in this class
is to provide that information and practice, and get you off to
a good start. Artists often tell us that the things they learned
in this course made a night and day difference in their artwork.
Do I need to bring any materials with me, or buy them in class?
No, all materials are provided by the instructor.
Can you tell me more about the instructor?
Nils Osmar has made
his living in the arts for over twenty years, working as a freelance
illustrator, writer and independent film producer, and teaching
both accredited and non-credit classes. He currently teaches through
the ASUW Experimental College and
the Wonder School
of the Arts, His art classes at the Experimental College include
Learn
to Draw Faces, Drawing
for absolute beginnersg,
Cartooning,
Exploring
Color, Drawing
Flowers, and Perspective
for Beginners (All of them are open to beginners)
How do I sign up?
See registration information, below.
(I liked) the
instructor's ability to simplify the important concepts necessary
to draw the human figure including foreshortening. (comment
submitted online)
Instructors attitude toward students, their objectives and their
out put was positive and affirming....encouraging and accepting (comment
submitted online)
This was my first figure drawing class, I had no idea what to
expect when I walked in the door. I felt comfortable at all times
and I enjoyed the different skill levels in the class. I loved
the teacher and overall I learned a great deal and had fun in
the class. I would for sure recommend it to a friend! (comment
submitted online)
I liked learning techniques. Nils simplified the process so that
drawing the figure is not so daunting to me any more. Great class! (comment
submitted online)
It was great, exactly what I was hoping for. I improved a lot
and I understand the figure better now. - M.L., Seattle
Thanks for the extra help with hands and feet. The class was excellent
and I'll be back for some more in the future. - S.F., Seattle
At LAST I understand about proportions!!!!! Thank you for explaining
the difference between the three types. And it was nice having
all the materials provided. - S.L., Seattle
What I liked: the handouts, the lectures, the step by step stuff,
the instructor's knowledge and organized approach. Disliked: no
latte stand in the building! Okay, okay, I'll bring my own next
time :) --O.E., Bellevue
This was a great class for me. It went at an easy pace, but covered
more than most figure drawing classes cover in a year. My wife
mentioned the improvement in my drawings. - R.G., Seattle
Nils is well organized and presents the information stap by step
so that everyone can keep up. There was a good balance between
the parts where he was showing us how to do things, and the drawing
periods when we could practice it. - S.B., Seattle
I loved it, it was really fun. - K.A., Seattle
Figure Drawing for Beginners is sponsored by the ASUW (Associated Students University of Washington) Experimental College, and is held on the U.W. campus in Seattle. It's a non-credit class open to everyone; you do not have to be a U.W. student to attend. The University of Washington is committed to providing equal access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accomodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accomodations, contact the Disability Office at least ten days in advance at: (206)543-6450/V, (206)543-6452/TTY, (206)685-7264 (fax) or email dso@u.washington.edu
To sign up by mail: You can sign up by mail at any time. To do so, click here to download the mail-in registration formThen fill it out and mail it to: ASUW Experimental College Box 352238 SAO 21 University of Washington Seattle WA 98195-2238 (Note: mail-in registrations won't be processed until June 23rd.)
To sign up online: Online registration for summer quarter Experimental College classes will begin on June 9th. (Please do not try signing up online before that time! Or you may end up in the spring quarter class instead.) We'll post a registration link here when summer online registrations begin.
To sign up by phone: Phone registrations for summer
quarter Experimental College classeswill begin onJune 23rd We'll
post more information here at that time.
Want an email reminder about registrations? To be added to the
instructor's email list, email Nilsosmar@gmail.com
You'll receive an email reminder when online and phone registrations
begin.
Whatever method you use to register, you will only be charged a $10 registration fee for each class you are enrolling in, when you sign up (or $5 if you are a UW student.) The course fee is not due until the first day of class.
Sponsored by the ASUW Experimental College:
Drawing
for absolute beginners
Learn
to Draw Faces
Figure
Drawing for beginners
Cartooning
Perspective
for Beginners: Drawing in Depth
Drawing
Clothing and Drapery
Exploring
Color
Beginning
Acting
Acting
in a Movie
Filmmaking
101
Writing
Fiction and Short Stories
It's
Time to Write Your Screenplay
Adobe
Photoshop
Sponsored by other schools *
Drawing
& painting Flowers
Drawing in
Ink
Drawing
comic books and graphic novels
Acrylic
painting for beginners
Drawing
with colored pencils
Documentary
filmmaking
Editing
tips & tricks for filmmakers
FX Makeup
for filmmakers
Improv
for beginners: acting without scripts
How
to make commercials & infomercials
Free
up your writing! (Beyond writer's block)
Writing
science fiction & fantasy
* click on the course title for registration information