Ideal figure drawing classes

#1

Hi all!

I´d like to ask how should they look. I´m attending fig drawing classes for several weeks but I feel its not so good for me and I dont know if its a common way of classes or not:shrug:

Biggest problem to me is very few models (I have seen just 2 till these days!) and then Im really bored by 3 hrs single pose. I would like to make more sketches for different poses/angles but as I see pupils like it more than making quick gesture drawings:rolleyes:

Another bad thing to me is lighting of the model - it has no contrast so finding shadows is really hard (and it looks ugly). There are no direct natural light coming on the model. Just shitty fluorescent lights on the ceiling which makes very diffuse lighting conditions.

I´d like to hear your experience so I can find better classes using your experience as a guide:bounce:

Cheers!

#2

Yeah, it sounds like you have a lame class. I’d complain about it: there’s no reason to pay for crap, especially when it’s not that difficult to do things well.

The workshop I’ve been attending usually starts with about 20-25 min of gestures, then a break, after which there’s one long pose. I find that’s a nice mix. And while there’s the diffuse low overhead lighting to allow people to work, there’s always 1 lamp, with strong light, always positioned with the pose of the model to create good shadows.

These workshops also usually have less then ten people. Sometimes eight, but often only 4-5. That means you usually have an opportunity to change angles during the night if you want to do more studies.

In the end, good lighting can make or break the session.

#3

I agree that bad lighting can make or break a drawing session.

I also think that once you spend enough time with models in general you will be able to start reading the shadows on specific muscles even with shitty luminous lighting.

You should still complain about the lighting to your instructor, but don’t give up on the class just yet.

#4

Just make suggestions to the instructor. Be polite about it. If he doesn’t listen, then don’t take his classes ever again.

#5

It certainly is better to have a breakdown of time. 10 mins of 30 second gestures, 20 mins of 2 min poses, then longer poses as time progresses, finishing with a pose long enough to work a decent piece from (anywhere from 1 to 2 hours).

More breakdowns give you a chance to experiment and warm up.

Lighting is also very important. Different conditions from stark to ambient. Different models and poses are very helpful.

Even moving to another side of the room is helpful!:smiley:

As Robert says, talk it through with your instructor. They’re there to accomodate students, so if you’re not learning anything there isn’t much point!

#6

During the 3 hours, get up and walk around so you have multiple views. And try to invent new light sources, you ahve the forms and figure right there in front of you.

Personally if its a good model with plenty of definition and can hold good poses for long periods of time id rather have him/her all the time.

Ask if you could bring in objects so you can go for more dynamic poses.

See if you cant ask them to break the 3 hours into 1 hours segments, and do some quick poses inbetween, im sure the model would enjoy this too since they wont be terribly strained.

#7

Thank you for all replies, guys!

Now its clear that I was right about my classes - there is something terribly wrong with them!:lightbulb

The only apology for my class is that I attend Elementary Art School (dont know exact translation to english) so my expectations was a bit high (actually its very very cheap course).

I´ll definetely take your suggestions in my mind and try to solve it by suggesting changes you discussed to my lector or finding better (probably more expensive) classes.

Cheers

Libor

#8

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