Figure Drawing Class

[MurkyDreams]

Hi Guys,

There's some figure drawing classe around where I live, and I was juts wondering if they were look like a good deal.


Here they are:

Figure Drawing
C113 PATTERSON Thursday 6:30-8:30 PM Adult $78 + $36 model fee
Because we are so aware of the spatial relationships of the human form and because the human form is so imbued with meaning for us, drawing from the figure gives students an acute understanding of proportion, weight, volume, and gesture and is conducive to using form to achieve content. Several classes will include loose portraiture and studies of facial contours. Charcoal, graphite, and pastels will be used. Supply list available.

Figure Drawing: Open Studio
C114 Friday 6:30 - 8:30 PM Adult $40 (one class $7.50)
With five or more registered participants, work with a model for independent studies in drawing or painting from the figure. You provide your own supplies. No instruction.



The classes are about 2 months each, so about 16 hours of time. I'm learning the basics in art class at my high school, and at home too. When I get decent I think I'll go to the figure drawing class, and then I'll go to the open studio after that. I just want to know if they're worth the money, or would I be better off going to my community college, where my classes would be 69.50 for a credit w/ the class being about 3-4 credits? I kinna want to go to the community college, but I don't want the credits to show on my transcripts when I apply for college, in case I don't do too well. The community college would be cheapper, but the other one is more convenient and you don't get graded. What do you guys think?

[Jane Radstrom]

Definitely do it! Can you audit the course at community college? Maybe you can, that way there is no grade. You might need to take a drawing 1 before you can take life drawing, though. You would probably get something out of it, still, if it is a good teacher. Wherever you go check out the teachers. It makes a big difference.

Also, you don't have to take a class to do figure drawing. It really helps to have the instruction, critique & focus, but if you end up not being able to take the classes for some reason, don't just give up! You don't need to be in a class to do some figure drawing & you can get some critique from a website like this. I find it useful to also read what people critique about other people's work, because it often applies - or at least is worth a mental note to watch out for. Then, draw your friends. Get them to take their shirt off and draw them reading, watching TV, playing music or whatever. Draw girl friends in their bathing suits - especially doing something like sunbathing where they are natrually holding sort of still. I get together with some of my friends and we trade off posing nude, that's even better if you are comfortable. In fact, drawing in all these ways is a great way to suppliment classes and something you should do constantly. :)

If you want to go into concept art, illustration or even 3-d modeling it will give your college entrance portfolio a big edge to have several years of life drawing under your belt. From all the stuff I have read on this site it is very much what those majors look for.

[MadSamoan]

The figure drawing courses won't be grading you on how your drawings turn out as long as you put the effort in. If anything, you might get graded on some anatomy quizzes and if you have a hard working attitude and follow direction, but that's it. If they offer any drawing fundamentals classes, take them first if you don't have much drawing experience because I don't know if the highschools can prepare you adequately. You should be able to know about core tones, values, cast shadows, relective shadows, core shadows, etc.. before you start a life drawing class.

Also, don't get into the mentality that you need to get decent before you take the classes. That's exactly what they're for, to make you a better draftsman, not to prop up your GPA. Getting quality instruction will shave years off of your training. Just find a good instructor that fits your temperment and they'll steer you in the right direction.

[MurkyDreams]

Thanks guys,

I think I'm gonna sign up for some summer classes then... Some evening ones would be awesome too. I'll have to look into a bit more... I just need to find a way to pay for all of this. :(

[MurkyDreams]

Holy Smokes... I just asked my art teacher about classes at my community colege, and he says that I can go to them for FREE if I'm a high school student. We have running start at my school, and I thought they didn't pay for us if we took it in the afternnon, but this is just perfect. Free Art class... I feel so lucky!!! I wont be able to start til next fall but I'm looking forward to it so frickin much! free classes!!! Woohoo!!!

[AnarchyAo2]

Arrggh! You lucky bastard! There arn't any life drawing coarses around here! Expect at the university but you have to be enrolled there to participate in those! (Hmm, maybe my mom could pull a few strings because she graduated there...)

[fredflickstone]

Any class you can take that is from life is a good class. The only drawback is your cash and your time. Take em all if you can, and find info whereever you can, mainly these forums. I find that the forums offer up per ounce more info than the average Jr. College art department in entirety...in general, not in all cases though....

Dont go in for grades, go in to learn to see. IF you get a grade, disregard it for constructive critisism. You are there to learn to see, not to compete for grades.

[MurkyDreams]

Well...

After a long time of thinking I've decided I'm going to take running start full time. That means that next year, when I'll be a Junior, I'll be going to my community college full-time, with all tuition paid. I just need to finish all the required credits for high school there, and then I'll be able to take any electives I want, such as those art classes. The only drawback to all of this is that my high school life is practically over, and I'm not sure how hard the classes will be. I want to keep my gpa above a 3.75 atleast, and I think I could handle this as long as I study hard enough... Thanks for pushing me in the right direction guys. I'd probably regret it quite a bit if I don't do this running start program.