Figure Drawing – The Great Unifier

Figure Drawing is perhaps the most common practice across artistic disciplines.  Nearly every artist wants to improve their drawing skills and having access to a live model is one of the best methods to do so.  Most art schools feature drawing a live model in their curriculum and many also offer additional training sessions outside of their regular classes.  What makes these events so special is that they bring together artists of all skill levels who use a wide range of mediums and approaches.

These drawing sessions offer artists affordable access to a professional model so that they can practice drawing from a live model instead of relying on photographs.  Now there is nothing wrong with using photo reference but honing your ability to draw from observation is an important skill that all artists should strive to master.  A photo presents its subject as flat and still but being able to draw from a living model in front of you is more of a challenge.  The model will move just a tiny bit while you are drawing them.  They are breathing after all!  Depending on their pose, the model might shift their weight ever so slightly or after a few moments, their arms might start to droop a bit.  It’s not easy to stay perfectly still for a long period of time.  Foreshortenning can also be a challenge.  A photograph will flatten the subject which will usually make it easier for our brain to process.  Capturing a foreshortenned limb in a drawing can be quite challenging to beginner artists and overcoming these challenges will help you become a better artist.

There are also so many different approaches for artists to take when drawing anything.  Are you an artist that prefers to focus on gestures?  Maybe you are more inclined to constructive anatomy.  A figure drawing session can be a great way to practice a new approach.  Or perhaps you are struggling with an approach that you are learning in class.  A bit of extra practice can help!

Timed poses offer the next challenge provided by figure drawing sessions.  It’s easy for an artist to get lost in their work and draw their subject for long periods of time.  Figure drawing sessions typically have their models pose for specific periods of time.  While long pose sessions aren’t unheard of, most start with a rapid series of brief poses and then steadily increase in length.  These quick poses usually start at 30 seconds or a minute and can go up to 20-30 minutes depending on the length of the session and the breakdown of the poses.  Quick poses allow the artist to focus on capturing the essence of their subject.  With only a minute on the clock, even the best artists are going to have a hard time capturing a lot of details.  Disney animators used to draw live models in rapid fire poses in order to train this skill, which is needed for classical hand drawn animation.  Furthermore, this is a great exercise to warm up the artist so that they are ready for longer poses.

Longer poses, meanwhile, allow the artist to focus on the finer details of the subject.  These are the poses where the artist will tidy up the pose, add more shading, and refine the features of the model’s face.

Figure drawing workshops are also a great way to practice drawing in a fun, casual setting with other artists.  Unlike with a classroom setting, figure drawing sessions will amass a wide range of artists of various skill levels and preferences in mediums.  A beginner can work next to a professional artist and might even learn a new technique, simply by watching another artist work.  When a public figure drawing session is offered by a school, it can also be a great way for a potential student to scope out the school and see if it’s where they might want to continue their art education.  

Artists can also work in a variety of mediums.  One week they might work in the classic mediums of pencil or charcoal, while the following week they might work with more modern tools such as a ballpoint pen or work digitally on their laptop or tablet.  Watercolour and ink are commonly used as well.  Oil paints are best left for working at home or the studio as it can be messy and has a strong odour.  Other than that, just about any medium is welcome at these events.  Just be mindful and respectful of the venue and the other artists!

Workshops are also far less of a commitment than taking a class, both terms of cost and time.  Just pop in when you have the time!

The best figure drawing workshops will build up a great community over time. After a few sessions, you might see the same faces again and again.  Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation.  Complementing another artist’s work is always a great ice-breaker.  

Prior to the pandemic, we had so many groups of friends who would come for the figure drawing session and then go out for food or drinks.  These groups would absorb more people as time went on.  It was more than a social event, it was a community event.  Syn Studio is in a new location and we are slowly rebuilding our figure drawing community.  We are currently offering our workshops on a monthly basis, but as our events grow in popularity, we will once again offer a session every two weeks.  This summer, Ontario street will become a pedestrian only walkway and there will be tons of festivals and activities happening.  Come join us for our next figure drawing workshop and then enjoy the nightlife around us.  

Our next workshop takes place on June 27th, 6:30pm – 9:30pm featuring a nude, male model.  Tickets are $15 but seats are limited so secure your spot soon! CLICK HERE!

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