New York Academy of Art

The head and face are probably the most rewarding parts of the human figure for an artist to draw or paint, but this can also be an intimidating subject because of the inherent complexities involved. In this class, we will create numerous portraits using a variety of drawing techniques traditionally associated with figure drawing. This is the perfect course for any artist interested in portraiture and in mastering this fascinating subject. Topics included are the proportions and volumes of the head and neck, the planes of the head, the skull, the muscles of the head and neck, correct positioning of the facial features, the effect of light on the forms of the head, measuring, line drawing, tonal rendering, creating portraits using various techniques such as graphite and charcoal on white paper, charcoal and chalk on toned paper, reduction technique and more.