New York Academy of Art

Explore the foundations of still-life drawing in this six-week course designed for artists of all experience levels. Working from a carefully arranged still-life setup, students learn to see with greater clarity, developing the ability to recognize angles, shadow shapes, value relationships, and the underlying geometry that gives objects their structure. Throughout the course, students examine a range of graphite techniques, including hatching, stumping, brushing, and blending, and consider how each approach can support an individual aesthetic. The class also provides opportunities to experiment with various tools and mark-making methods under the guidance of the instructor. The emphasis of the course is on cultivating disciplined observational skills and a deeper understanding of how light and shadow construct form. By the end of the six weeks, students depart with a refined drawing and a strengthened foundation for future representational work.