New York Academy of Art

This class introduces students to the timeless practice of figure drawing and painting through direct observation of the human body. Working from a live model, students will explore both the structural foundations and the expressive possibilities of figure drawing and painting. The course emphasizes three essential aspects: learning observational methodologies, understanding the basic anatomical and structural components of the human form, and developing rendering techniques to convey not only accuracy but also the emotion and beauty inherent in the human body. Through guided exercises, students will refine their ability to perceive proportion, gesture, and movement while becoming familiar with strategies for constructing and analyzing the figure, so that they can render figures with confidence, whether from life or imagination. By the end of this course, students will leave with the ability to approach figure drawing and painting with greater clarity and confidence, equipped with foundational skills that will serve both representational accuracy and personal expression in their artistic practice.