Classical Drawing Course

Ready, set, draw.

The Classical Drawing Course is a remote atelier program, loaded with all the tools a growing artist needs to build his or her skills in realist drawing. The course offers a curriculum of assignments as well as the recommended order to progress through each to maximize learning.

 

It includes over 100 hours of videos covering materials, techniques, anatomy, and demonstrations of fully completed assignments.

Overview

of the Classical Drawing Course

Welcome to the world of Classical Drawing! We have made our best effort to relay the methods and techniques of historical masters as seen in their writings, the writings of their students, and analyses of their work. The material has been arranged in a logical order and divided into three terms, each of which builds on the skill sets gained in the previous terms. 


The first term of the Classical Drawing Course, CDC100, focuses on the four main methods of measurements utilized historically: sight-size, triangulation, plumbs and levels, and comparative. Students also learn to objectively observe and record values (qualities of light and dark) and edges. These goals are achieved through study of historical references (Bargue plate copies and master copy paintings) as well as from plaster casts. The primary method of working is charcoal on white paper. 


CDC200 shifts from purely observational drawing and strives to incorporate an analytical understanding. Concepts of light and shadow anatomy, human anatomy, drapery anatomy, and perspective are introduced. Methods of working with white chalk and charcoal on toned paper are introduced, as well as pen. Subject matter includes drapery, still life, anatomy studies, and the beginnings of figure long pose. 


CDC300 strives to marriage the observational drawing learned in the first term with the anatomical knowledge acquired in the second term, with the subject focus of portrait and figure long pose. While few concepts are introduced, some small variations from early processes and subject-specific tips help students push their drawings further. 

 

If the concepts of CDC100 and CDC200 have not yet been comfortably mastered, there is little hope of being successful with the rigorous demands of the subject matter associated with CDC300. 

Table of Contents

 

Classical Drawing Course: Level 1

 

CDC101

CDC101: Assignment 1

  1. CDC101 Lecture: Concepts and Measuring
  2. CDC101 Lecture: The Process
  3. CDC101 Lecture: Using the Willow
  4. CDC101 Introduction to Assignment 1: Bargue Plate Envelope
  5. CDC101 Demonstration: Assignment 1: Bargue Plate Envelope

CDC101: Assignment 2

  1. CDC101 Lecture: Concepts of Shading
  2. CDC101 Demonstration: Shading, part 1
  3. CDC101 Demonstration: Shading, part 2
  4. CDC101 Demonstration: Sharpening the Pencil
  5. CDC101 Introduction to Assignment 2: Completed Bargue Plate

CDC101: Assignment 3

  1. CDC101 Lecture: Sight-Size from Three Dimensions
  2. CDC101 Demonstration: Sight-Size from Three Dimensions
  3. CDC101 Introduction to Assignment 3: Fully Rendered Plaster Cast
  4. CDC101 Demonstration: Assignment 3: Fully Rendered Plaster Cast, part 1
  5. CDC101 Demonstration: Assignment 3: Fully Rendered Plaster Cast, part 2
  6. CDC101 Demonstration: Assignment 3: Fully Rendered Plaster Cast, part 3
  7. CDC101 Demonstration: Assignment 3: Fully Rendered Plaster Cast, part 4

CDC102

CDC102: Assignment 1

  1. CDC102 Introduction to CDC102
  2. CDC102 Introduction to Assignment 1: Master Copy Shadow Map

CDC102: Assignment 2

  1. CDC102 Introduction to Assignment 2: Completed Master Copy

 

Classical Drawing Course: Level 2

 

CDC201

CDC201: Assignment 1

  1. CDC201 Introduction to CDC201
  2. CDC201 Lecture: Shadow Anatomy
  3. CDC201 Lecture: Practical Perspective

CDC201: Assignment 2

  1. CDC201 Introduction to Assignment 2: Drapery Cast Drawing
  2. CDC201 Demonstration: Assignment 2: Drapery Cast on Toned Paper, part 1
  3. CDC201 Demonstration: Assignment 2: Drapery Cast on Toned Paper, part 2
  4. CDC201 Demonstration: Assignment 2: Drapery Cast on Toned Paper, part 3

CDC201: Assignment 3

  1. CDC201 Introduction to Assignment 3: Still Life Drawing

CDC202

CDC202: Figure Drawing

  1. CDC202 Introduction to CDC202
  2. CDC202 Demonstration: Anatomy Quick Drawings
  3. CDC202 Demonstration: Box Man Drawings
  4. CDC202 Introduction to Notans
  5. CDC202 Demonstration: Notans

CDC202: Assignment 1

  1. CDC202 Demonstration: Assignment 1: Shadow Map of the Figure

LEC200

  1. LEC200 Introduction to LEC200
  2. LEC200 Anatomy Lecture 1: Proportions and Navigation Terms
  3. LEC200 Demonstration 1: Bridgman Anatomy Drawings
  4. LEC200 Anatomy Lecture 2: The Torso
  5. LEC200 Demonstration 2: Vanderpoel Anatomy Drawings
  6. LEC200 Anatomy Lecture 3: The Arm
  7. LEC200 Anatomy Lecture 4: Hands
  8. LEC200 Anatomy Lecture 5: Pelvis, Upper Leg, and Knee
  9. LEC200 Anatomy Lecture 6: Lower Leg and Foot
  10. LEC200 Anatomy Lecture 7: The Skull and Muscles of the Face
  11. LEC200 Anatomy Lecture 8: Features of the Face

 

Classical Drawing Course: Level 3

 

CDC301

CDC301: Assignment 1

  1. CDC301 Introduction to Assignment 1: Shadow Map Portrait
  2. CDC301 Demonstration: Assignment 1: Shadow Map Portrait

CDC301: Assignment 2

  1. CDC301 Introduction to Feature Studies
  2. CDC301 Demonstration: Study of an Eye
  3. CDC301 Demonstration: Study of a Nose
  4. CDC301 Demonstration: Study of a Mouth
  5. CDC301 Demonstration: Study of an Ear

CDC301: Assignment 3

  1. CDC301 Introduction to Assignment 3: Three Session Portrait Drawing

CDC301: Assignment 4

  1. CDC301 Introduction to Assignment 4: Four Session Portrait Drawing
  2. CDC301 Demonstration: Assignment 4: Four Session Portrait Drawing, part 1
  3. CDC301 Demonstration: Assignment 4: Four Session Portrait Drawing, part 2
  4. CDC301 Demonstration: Assignment 4: Four Session Portrait Drawing, part 3

CDC301: Assignment 5

  1. CDC301 Introduction to Assignment 5: Alla Prima Portrait
  2. CDC301 Demonstration: Assignment 5: Alla Prima Portrait

CDC301: Assignment 6

  1. CDC301 Demonstration: Assignment 6: Portrait from a Photograph

CDC302

CDC302: Assignment 1

  1. CDC302 Introduction to Assignment 1: Shadow Map of the Figure
  2. CDC302 Demonstration: Assignment 1: Shadow Map of the Figure

CDC302: Assignment 2

  1. CDC302 Introduction to Assignment 2: Completed Figure Drawing
  2. CDC302 Demonstration: Assignment 2: Completed Figure Drawing, part 1
  3. CDC302 Demonstration: Assignment 2: Completed Figure Drawing, part 2
  4. CDC302 Demonstration: Assignment 2: Completed Figure Drawing, part 3
  5. CDC302 Demonstration: Assignment 2: Completed Figure Drawing, part 4
  6. CDC302 Demonstration: Assignment 2: Completed Figure Drawing, part 5

 

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