Art by April: Drawing the Human Body and Portraits

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 NO CLASS
3/2-3/8 Faces with glasses
3/9-3/15 Older faces, wrinkles, baggy skin 
3/16-3/22 Hand in ASL signs for letters
3/23-3/29 Children and babies
3/30-4/5 Figure drawing 
4/6-4/12 Foreshortening, foot and hand front view
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 Wet Face
5/18-5/24 Figures in clothing. Suit, Dress, Casual
5/25-5/31 Eye winking
6/1-6/7 Musculature of arm 
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