Drawing the Nude in Chalk Pencil


Before the invention of the graphite pencil, the most common dry medium employed by artists to draw with was chalk. A material used by Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, Rubens and Rembrandt. In addition to learning about the proportions of the human figure and some elementary anatomy, discover the sensual qualities of colour, texture and line made by this beautiful medium. Employ coloured chalks in unison, to describe so-called “warm” and “cool” values of the human figure. All aspects of the lesson will include one on one tuition and regular group demonstrations. Suitable for beginners to more experienced.


COURSE OUTLINE

  • Morning Session: Aims to establish a close to finished contour drawing of the pose. The teacher will assist students in understanding the major masses of the figure, where the weight of the body rests in relation to the pose and signifying important anatomical landmarks. (Note: students should not feel rushed and may choose to spend most of the day on this stage of the drawing).
  • Afternoon Session: Begin the process of modelling in red sanguine chalk, with the light source on the model as a partial guide. With the teacher’s guidance, a greater emphasis will be placed on conceptualising and inventing a light source that manages to describe the front and side planes of the human form. White chalk will be introduced to convey the higher values. Black chalk will be introduced to emphasise the point at which the form turns from a front to a side plane, or/and into shadow.


PLANNED LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

  1. Gain a more in depth understanding of drawing the human figure via a sustained pose. The sustained pose will ground the student in an understanding of the figure’s structure which may further complement and enhance the students' skill in conveying more immediate impressions that can be gained from the drawing of shorter poses.
  2. Further conceptualise the overarching masses of the figure, as well as its subsidiary parts in relation to these masses.
  3. Conceive of the modelling of gradations of light and dark as contingent to an understanding and conceptualisation of structure and form.
  4. Utilise different coloured chalks in relation to varying paper grounds.
  5. Learn to employ stumps to assist in softening and suggesting the subtle gradations of form.


MATERIALS

  • Oil based red sanguine chalk pencil (hard)
  • Oil based black chalk pencil (hard)
  • White chalk pencil
  • Kneadable eraser
  • Stanley knife (chalk cannot be sharpened with a pencil sharpener)
  • Blue-grey and/or buff (pale yellow-brown) sheet of coloured paper
  • 2 paper stumps
  • Two metal clips for support


When:
Tuesday 15 January 2019
9.30 AM - 4.30 PM 

Where:
WEA Sydney
72 Bathurst Street 


Course Feedback:

'Dominique ‘s thorough knowledge of the human anatomy and his easiness in explaining it to us was superb and most helpful.'

'The opportunity to experience the multiple stages, skills, and techniques of the creative process of rendering a drawing under the watchful and supportive eye (and helpful hints) of an expert teaching artist.'

'A very good pace for learning drawing techniques and anatomy, which we directly applied to the figure we were drawing. It was also satisfying to build on one piece of work.'