Class Human Figure V

This Course Unit is based on drawing and/or painting from direct observation of the human figure, both female and male, represented at life size. The practice of drawing and painting is supported by concepts and methods grounded in anatomy and proportion as fundamental references. In representing the human body, students are required to apply the key elements of visual representation, including scale, composition, figure-ground relationships, and modelling. Different approaches to drawing and painting are explored, as well as a variety of model poses and situations, including short and long poses, stillness and movement, isolated figures or figures in relation to the surrounding space, drapery, and the use of props.

Not applicable

The syllabus focuses on the observation and representation of the human figure through drawing and painting. Topics include blind and transformed contour drawing, scale, perspective, proportion, gestural expression, tonal modelling, figure-ground relationships, and the representation of weight, mass, light, and shadow. Students also explore technical and technological approaches to image-making, movement, the body's relationship with objects, and its interaction with surrounding space. The programme is developed through two complementary approaches: the completion of two life-size studies of the human figure, one female and one male, incorporating tonal modelling and contextual elements; and the maintenance of a thematic sketchbook, with one to five exercises completed each week.

A hybrid teaching methodology is used, with content delivered in class (before or during poses and in front of the model) and other content made available to students via the Moodle platform. The online content consists mainly of: tutorials, image banks and/or videos (with different poses and models of different body biotypes [ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph], different genders and ages); but there are also various specialist books available (through which students can further study and research human figure drawing according to their individual interests). Students are encouraged to explore their personal interests in the Graphic Diary and also to share them in class, so that, in dialogue with the teacher and their classmates, they can combine and articulate their aesthetic universes with the fundamental content to be acquired in this course. 

EDWARDS, Betty - The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. A course in enhancing creativity and artistic confidence. London: Harper Collins, 2008. HALE, Robert Beverly - Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters. New York: Watson-Guptill, 2009. JENNY, Peter - Desenho anatómico. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili, 2014. KAUPELIS, Robert - Experimental Drawing. New York: Watson-Guptill, 1980. MALBERT, Roger - Drawing People: The Human Figure in Contemporary Art. United States: Distributed Art Publishers, 2015. MASLEN, Mick; SOUTHERN, Jack - Drawing Projects - an exploration of the language of drawing. London: Black Dog Publishing, 2011. NEW, Jennifer - Drawing from life. The journal as art. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2005. NICOLAIDES, Kimon - The Natural Way to Draw. Boston: Houghthon Miflin Company, 1969.