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$20

weekly
Class

Art by April: Drawing the Human Body and Portraits

Completed by 22 learners
Ages 12-16
Live Group Class
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.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(660 reviews)
Star Educator
Popular

Live video meetings
1x per week
2-8 learners per class
55 min

What's included

1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours per week

Class 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: NO CLASSES Thanksgiving
12/1-12/7: Foot, top view
12/8-12/14: Hairstyles: Straight Hairstyles: Ponytail, Short Bob, Long, Pixie, Braids
12/15-12/21: Hairstyles: Spring Curls, Waves, Shiny Hair, Updo
**12/22-12/28 Holiday Break- No classes**
12/29-1/4: No Class- teacher illness
1/5-1/11: Hand positions: Quick gestural sketching
1/12-1/18 View from below, head tipped back 
1/19-1/25 Three-Quarter view portrait
1/26-2/1 Eyes, showing anger
2/2-2/8 Multiple Figures
2/9-2/15 Hands in a heart
2/16-2/22 NO CLASS
2/23-3/1 Faces with glasses
3/2-3/8 Older faces, wrinkles, baggy skin
3/9-3/15 Hand in ASL signs
3/16-3/22 Children and babies
3/23-3/29 Silly face with tongue out
3/30-4/5 Foreshortening, foot and hand front view
4/6-4/12 Musculature of arm 
4/13-4/19 Spring Break- No Classes
4/20-4/26 Self Portraits
4/27-5/3 Seated Postures
5/4–5/10 Eyes, showing sadness
5/11-5/17 Sneeze Face
5/18-5/24 Figures in clothing. Suit, Dress, Casual
5/25-5/31 Eye winking
6/1-6/7 
6/8-6/14
6/15-6/21
6/22-6/28

Subject/Requests, not in order:
 
Hand, Okay sign
Hand peace sign
Full body gestures

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.

Meet the teacher

5.0
660reviews
Star Educator
Popular
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
New York Teaching Certificate in Music/Theater/Arts
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

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