Level: Beginning / Intermediate
Instructor: Ali Gassan
October 1 – November 5 (6 Wednesdays)
1:30 – 4 pm
$165 CAE member / $180 non-member
Minimum 4 / Maximum 10

This foundational figure drawing course offers students a gateway into the academic world of drawing, inspired by the traditions of great masters such as Michelangelo, Leonardo, Gérôme, and Repin. Rather than merely copying what we see, students will learn how to construct the human figure with intention and structure, following the timeless principles used in the ateliers of Europe. We will place strong emphasis on understanding the structural design of the human body—how it is built, how its masses interconnect, and how to achieve accurate human proportions through classical measuring techniques. Throughout the course, students will also explore the professional methods of shading, learning how to create volume, form, and depth on paper. These skills are essential for creating the illusion of three dimensionality and bringing figures to life.

“Drawing is about constructing an idea on paper, not simply conveying what we see.” By the end of the workshop, students will not only have a stronger grasp of how to draw the human body realistically, but also gain the foundational mindset of classical artists who approached the figure with logic, discipline, and artistic clarity.

Materials Needed: Strathmore drawing paper – 18 × 24 inches STAEDTLER German pencils: HB, 2B, 6B X-Acto knife + sandpaper (for sharpening) Soft kneaded eraser + hard white eraser Knitting needle (for measuring proportions) Masking tape