Learn how to capture the energy and excitement of the figure through quick drawing with a live model. The class will cover different types of gesture drawing and what to prioritize when a figure is posing for a short time or is in motion. A great introduction to drawing people for beginners or a way for experienced artists to liven up their figure drawings.
COVID-19 Information
CAW requires proof of vaccination status from all who are eligible to receive it for in-person classes and workshops.
Please click here to upload your vaccination card in advance of the first day of class.
Note: if you have already submitted your vaccination card to CAW, there is no need to do it again.
School Policies
Students who withdraw 48 hours prior to the first class are eligible for a refund or credit toward another class, less a $25 registration fee.
Please click here for more details.
Term: Winter 2023
Suggested Ages: 18+
2 sessions: $120.00; Capacity: 15
Registration closed
Students can work in pencil, charcoal, or other drawing media. Soft vine charcoal is highly recommend for gesture drawing and students are encouraged to try conté crayon as well. Charcoal, conté and pencil materials are listed here. CHARCOAL • Medium or soft vine charcoal sticks (4 - 12 sticks) • General's Charcoal Pencils: HB, 2B (1 or 2 of each) • Sepia Conte Crayon • Black Conte Crayon *Note that CAW does provide some charcoal as part of the class. • If you work on toned paper: General's White Charcoal Pencil or White Pastel Pencil (not a white colored pencil which is too waxy to work with charcoal) • Sanding pad for sharpening charcoal pencils and vine charcoal. Nitram Sanding Block is recommended over the regular small “tear off” sandpaper block. Fine sandpaper can also be used. (http://www.dickblick.com/products/nitram-sharpening-bloc/) • Straight razor blade (for sharpening charcoal pencils-can be purchased at a hardware store. Sold in packs of 5 or more, usually used for paint scrapers. A box cutter can work as well but a straight razor blade is recommended.) Paper For Charcoal: • CAW provides large sheets of newsprint which is an inexpensive substrate for gesture drawing that provides you with a large working surface. You may also want to bring some large sheets of regular drawing paper (like a Strathmore Drawing Paper pad) as it is more durable and has a slightly toothier drawing surface that catches charcoal better than the slick surface of newsprint. • Canson Mi-Teinte Pastel Paper is also recommended for charcoal and conte crayon. (It comes in a variety of colors of 25.5" x 19.5" sheets. Get 2-3 sheets of light grey, tan or medium blue. Charcoal papers have a tooth to them that catches and holds the charcoal.) • Fabriano charcoal paper is also good. Toned paper allows you to work both with white and black to quickly set up light and dark values. PENCIL • Pencils: HB, 2B, 6B (1 of each). You can also try all-graphite pencils like an Ebony pencil (2B, 4B or 6B) • Pencil Sharpener or straight razor blade for sharpening pencils. • Strathmore 400 Series 18” x 24” “Drawing” Pad CAW provides large sheets of newsprint but the slick surface of newsprint can make it a bit slippery to work on with pencil. If working on newsprint (an inexpensive and readily available substrate) I would suggest working with soft or very soft pencils (2B, 4B, or 6B pencils.) Drawing Board: CAW does provide large drawing boards, however you might want to bring your own board to ensure you have a smooth, clean drawing surface. You drawing board needs to be larger than your paper size. I recommend a simple piece of masonite, gator board, or 1/2” foam core. • CAW provides large paper clamps for attaching your paper to your drawing board. • Straight, thin knitting needle or stick (for measuring and finding angles) • Kneaded eraser and/or vinyl “pencil” eraser RECOMMENDED: • Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating or similar (for fixing charcoal drawings at home) • Glasseine (for covering drawings in storage, especially charcoal – Glasseine is like tracing paper and can be bought in rolls. You can also buy a pad of tracing paper and use that as long as it’s acid-free.) • Portfolio for storing and transporting paper and drawings (do not roll your drawings!) • Sketchbook - for your own sketches and for taking notes