Foundations of Cast Drawing (In-Person Class)

Foundations of Cast Drawing - In Person

Tabitha Whitley | Summer | Tuesdays: Jun 2 - Aug 4

Class Description:

A deep dive into classical drawing through the practice of cast drawing, an essential foundation in traditional art training.

Over ten weeks, students will work directly from plaster casts of classical sculptures at the New York Academy of Art, learning how to observe and render form with accuracy and sensitivity. Because casts remain perfectly still and lack the color complexities of living models, they offer a unique opportunity to focus purely on light, shadow, and form. Students will learn to build strong, structured drawings while mastering tonal values, edge control, and the illusion of three-dimensionality on a two-dimensional surface. Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike, this course strengthens observational skills and provides a clear pathway to understanding how light defines form—knowledge that is critical for portraiture, figure drawing, and painting.

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Summer Session Dates:

Scheduled occurrences for the next semester of this class are as follows:

Week	Date	Time
Week 1:	6/2/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 2:	6/9/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 3:	6/16/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 4:	6/23/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 5:	6/30/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 6:	7/7/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 7:	7/14/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 8:	7/21/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 9:	7/28/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 10:	8/4/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET

Before Class - Welcome & How to Prepare for Class
Week 1 - Introduction to Light & Shadow Through Basic Forms
Week 2 - Refining Form Studies & Completing Shape Drawings
Week 3 - Beginning a Small Cast Drawing — Proportion & Composition
Week 4 - Blocking in the Shadow Mass
Week 5 - Developing Form Within the Shadow & Light Families
Week 6 - Refinement & Completion of the Small Cast Drawing
Week 7 - Beginning a Large Full Figure Cast Drawing Form & Composition
Week 8 - Establishing the Light & Shadow Structure
Week 9 - Developing Complexity & Depth
Week 10 - Final Refinements

$570.00
In-Person
10 Weeks
Beginner to Intermediate

Meet Your Instructor

Tabitha Whitley

Instructor

This exhibition was curated by Tabitha Whitley. Whitley, born in Brooklyn, New York, is a multifaceted artist known for her vibrant paintings, luminous drawings, and bold prints. Her work delves into themes of identity, heritage, and interconnectedness with nature. Through the use of vivid colors in her paintings, Whitley adds a dynamic layer of expression to her art. Whitley earned her BFA in Painting from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2009. Followed by an MFA in Painting from the New York Academy of Art in 2011, where she also served as the President of the Alumni Association and on the Board of Trustees. Her work has been widely exhibited, with notable shows including the "Love Black" exhibition at the Springfield Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Museum’s “Brooklyn Artist Exhibition.” Whitley’s art has also garnered attention in esteemed publications such as The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian. Currently residing in her native Brooklyn, New York, Tabitha Whitley continues to pursue her studio practice, creating art that reflects her deep engagement with personal and universal themes.