Art by April: Drawing the Human Body and Portraits
In this intermediate to advanced weekly sketching class, we will learn to draw parts of the body, parts of the face/portraits, and full figure gestural drawings.
April Taylor, Prek-12 Art Teacher
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(652)
Star Educator
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade 6 - 9
Intermediate - Advanced Level
One of the most complex subjects to draw is the human body. Capturing facial expressions, accurately portraying body proportions, and drawing hands and feet have always been something artists strive to draw correctly. It takes practice, but it also requires knowledge of the human form, parts of the body, and of course, how to use your tools to create your drawing. In this class, students will learn how to draw various parts of the body (at times the whole body) and face, step by step, in a simplified way. Learning this way, takes the complexity of drawing the human form and breaks it down into more simple parts so that each student can be successful in their focus on one small part at a time. This class will run weekly and not build in difficulty along the way, to allow for students to hop in and out when they need to. Some parts will be repeated but at different angles or compilations, so that no one will ever repeat the same exact thing even if you stay in class all year long. Students joining this class should have some basic drawing experience, as this class is faster paced than beginner drawing classes. Basic knowledge of drawing shapes, shading, and using art pencils and or charcoal is recommended. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or submit examples of student work to be sure this class is a good fit for your learner. 2024-2025 9/8-9/14: Eyes 9/15-9/21: Ears 9/22-9/28: Noses 9/29-10/5: Closed fist 10/6-10/12: Mouths/lips 10/13-10/19: Frontal portrait 10/20-10/26: Foot, profile 10/27-11/2: Smile, with teeth 11/3-11/9: Full body, proportions 11/10-11/16: Eyes, surprised 11/17-11/23: Profile face 11/24-11/30: Mouth, silly/tongue out 12/1-12/7: Foot, top view 12/8-12/14: Back view shoulders/neck 12/15-12/21: Three-Quarter view portrait **12/22-12/28 Christmas Break- No classes** 12/29-1/4: Hand, thumbs up 1/5-1/11 1/12-1/18 1/19-1/25 1/26-2/1 2/2-2/8 2/9-2/15 2/16-2/22 2/23-3/1 3/2-3/8 3/9-3/15 3/16-3/22 3/23-3/29 3/30-4/5 4/6-4/12 4/13-4/19 Spring Break- No Classes 4/20-4/26 4/27-5/3 5/4–5/10 5/11-5/17 5/18-5/24 5/25-5/31 6/1-6/7 6/8-6/14 6/15-6/21 6/22-6/28 Subject/Requests, not in order: Eye winking Sneeze face Hand, Okay sign Hand piece sign Full hand fingers spread Hand in ASL signs Foot, frontal view/foreshortening Eyes, showing pain Eyes, showing sadness Eyes, showing anger Full body gestures Older faces Babie/younger faces
Other Details
Supply List
Artist pencils including range from 4H- 6B Eraser Drawing Paper
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2020
5.0
652reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
New York Teaching Certificate in Music/Theater/Arts
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from State University of New York at New Paltz
Bachelor's Degree in Education from State University of New York at New Paltz
Hello Outschool community!
I am April Taylor. I live with my amazing family in New York and I have been teaching visual arts on Outschool for 3+ years. I’ve been told I was “born to teach”. On Outschool, I teach art classes for children ages 8 and older. I I have classes in acrylic and watercolor painting, realistic drawing, and clay work. I hold a Bachelors degree in Art Education and a Masters degree in Professional Studies, where I focused on Humanistic and Multicultural Educational practices. I have 18+ years teaching experience in Prek-8 in virtual and in person settings.
As a teacher, I like to keep class fun, upbeat, and flexible. During classes, I encourage balance, in terms of focus and discussion/communicating with myself and classmates. Interaction, open discussion about planning, and ideas/suggestions for their own or other's art is highly valuable, as is, quiet focus and concentration. In every class, I teach using a step by step approach to demonstrate how to do the skills and use the materials. I feel this provides a solid foundation for students to master skills and then put them to practice once they become more confident and independent. I also encourage creativity and encourage students to add or omit elements from their work that make it unique to them. I would much rather have 8 different drawings at the end, than exact replicas of mine! If a child wants to take their project in a different direction, I fully support and encourage them to do so!
When I am not painting and working with clay, I love being out in nature, spending time with my husband, two hockey loving boys, and our dog child.
I look forward to meeting your child and helping them grow their love for art and learning. I hope to see your child in my classes soon!
***If this will be your FIRST CLASS on Outschool, please use my code APRILTA2020, to get $20 off of your first class!Reviews
Live Group Class
$18
weekly1x per week
55 min
Completed by 12 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-16
2-8 learners per class
