Drawing the Live Model Portrait
You will explore:
Ideal Proportions
Structural and Surface Anatomy
Drawing Anatomical Features of the Head
Light Values and Volumetric Form
Key Structures and Gesture of the Upper Body
Drawing Various Ages
Facial Expressions
Great Master Portraitists
Yes, there certainly is something undeniably magical about a well-executed portrait, whether it be drawn or painted. The required delicate precision of observation and execution takes this study to the very height of artistic discipline. Once mastered, the artist transcends beyond a representational study and dives deep into the emotional truths of the heart which are revealed in the most subtle complexities of the face. Amazingly, this human language of the face is universally understood with unequaled efficiency and merits the artists deepest attention.
Our exploration of the head is for all levels of experience. However, detailed demonstrations allow each artist to advance according to his/her own level. The program employs key fundamental studies designed to prepare the student for a live model session, including ideal proportions and observational measuring, structural and surface anatomy, volumetric form based on sculptures, and reviews of great masterworks.
To the inexperienced artist, this all may sound complicated, however, we have all observed hundreds of faces each day of our lives since the moment we first opened our eyes. Our process simply requires observing our familiar environment in terms that can be defined fundamentally. Sometimes, we need to look beyond the visible surface to find structural realities. Our study progressively brings us to the eureka moment when a living subject emerges from the paper looking right at us with great emotional context. The joy associated with that moment is quite indescribable and exciting.
The Mark Anthony Studio Online Atelier emphasizes portraits each month as a standard key study for artistic development.
Enjoy this feature as a regular part of the Mark Anthony Studio Online Atelier program.