Figure Drawing Fundamentals

Q: Week 1: Seeing & Identifying Shape in the Figure

Details: Lecture on seeing, identifying shape, value control and local color/value. (30 minutes) Introduction to materials. (10 minutes) Introduction to The Illustration Academy 5 - Step drawing method. (30 minute demonstration) Students draw live 4, 5 minute poses and 1, 20 minute pose. Discuss student work posted in Discord. Give assignment for next class. Homeroom: Tuesdays Zoom Meeting (2 hours) Study Hall: Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours) Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program. Discord: Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

Q: Week 2: Lighting, Form & Shadow

Details: Review assigned work. Lecture on lighting, form principles, core and cast shadows. (20 minutes) Drawing demonstration focused on rendering. (30 minute demonstration) Students draw live 2, 5 minute poses, 1 and 1, 30 minute pose. Discuss student work posted in Discord. Give assignment for next class. Homeroom: Tuesdays Zoom Meeting (2 hours) Study Hall: Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours) Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program. Discord: Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

Q: Week 3: Mark-making, edge control, and texture in figure drawing

Description: Review assigned work. Lecture on edge control, texture and mark-making . (20 minutes) Drawing demonstration focused on edge control, texture and mark-making. (20 minute demonstration) Students draw live 2, 5 minute poses and 2, 20 minute poses. Discuss student work posted in Discord. What to focus on going forward Homeroom: Tuesdays Zoom Meeting (2 hours) Study Hall: Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours) Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program. Discord: Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

Q: Week 4: Finishing

Description: Review assigned work. Lecture on finish and polish Students draw live 2, 5 minute poses and 2, 20 minute poses. What to focus on going forward Homeroom: Tuesdays Zoom Meeting (2 hours) Study Hall: Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours) Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program. Discord: Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

Draw the human form with confidence, skill, & expression

A Figure Drawing Class taught by John English

Live & Online

Fully Interactive

4 Weeks (8 classes)

Beginner to Advanced

Master the human form, drawing with confidence, skill, & expression

Course Description:
This Figure Drawing Class is an intensive three-week workshop focuses on the art of drawing the human form. This live and interactive class helps artists build a strong foundation in gesture, proportion, anatomy, and movement—key elements that bring figure drawings to life.

Through a combination of structured lessons, live demonstrations, and critiques, artists will sharpen observational skills and learn techniques to add expression and accuracy to drawings. This figure drawing class is perfect for artists looking to confidently advance their skills for illustration, animation, or fine art.

Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will complete a series of figure studies and at least one polished drawing, developing a deeper understanding of form, structure, and the nuances of the human body.

* This class contains nudity and will not be censored.

A Comprehensive Figure Drawing Class

Gesture Drawing & Movement
Capturing the essence & energy of a pose.
Proportions & Measuring
Understanding variations of human proportions.
Anatomy
Breaking down muscles, bones, and key landmarks of the body.
Light & Shadow
Creating depth & form through shading techniques
Dynamic Poses & Foreshortening
Creating action with believable depth
Structure & Form Simplification
Using shapes to build a strong foundation
Refining & Finishing
Bringing a figure drawing to a completed, polished piece

Live Class Meetings
Mondays, 5-7pm PT (8-10pm ET)

Mediums
Digital or Traditional

Price
$399

Enroll Now

A professional portrait of a smiling man in a black Columbia jacket against a dark background.

An Award-winning Illustrator & Fine Artist: John English

John English is a highly accomplished illustrator, educator, and mentor with decades of experience in the industry. He is the co-founder and director of Visual Arts Passage, where he has guided thousands of artists in developing their skills and careers.

His work has been recognized by prestigious organizations such as the New York Society of Illustrators, the Los Angeles Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, Graphis, and Print Magazine. His illustrations have appeared on the cover of Newsweek, in the pages of Esquire, Money, and Essence, and in projects for clients including Penguin Books, Bantam Books, Hitachi, 7-Up, NCAA, Sprint Corporation, and Knoll Furniture Group.

John English’s approach to figure drawing is the definitive method for effectively capturing gesture and structure.

Soft pastel portrait of a woman with blonde hair in a bun, resting her head on her hand, showcasing a relaxed mood and artistic technique highlighting subtle details and light shading.

Ancient Greek marble sculpture of a female figure, classical art, detailed craftsmanship, white stone, artistic heritage, historic statue, timeless beauty, museum-quality, cultural artifact, Venetian sculpture style.

Elegant nude figure drawing of a woman with her head bowed, captured in soft pastel tones, emphasizing artistic beauty and human form.

Outline of the Figure Drawing Workshop

Week 1: Seeing & Identifying Shape in the Figure

Details:

Lecture on seeing, identifying shape, value control and local color/value. (30 minutes)
Introduction to materials. (10 minutes)
Introduction to The Illustration Academy 5 - Step drawing method. (30 minute demonstration)
Students draw live 4, 5 minute poses and 1, 20 minute pose.
Discuss student work posted in Discord.
Give assignment for next class.

Homeroom:
Tuesdays Zoom Meeting (2 hours)

Study Hall:
Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours)
Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program.

Discord:
Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

Week 2: Lighting, Form & Shadow

Details:

Review assigned work.
Lecture on lighting, form principles, core and cast shadows. (20 minutes)
Drawing demonstration focused on rendering. (30 minute demonstration)
Students draw live 2, 5 minute poses, 1 and 1, 30 minute pose.
Discuss student work posted in Discord.
Give assignment for next class.

Homeroom:
Tuesdays Zoom Meeting (2 hours)

Discord:
Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

Week 3: Mark-making, edge control, and texture in figure drawing

Description:

Review assigned work.
Lecture on edge control, texture and mark-making . (20 minutes)
Drawing demonstration focused on edge control, texture and mark-making. (20 minute demonstration)
Students draw live 2, 5 minute poses and 2, 20 minute poses.
Discuss student work posted in Discord.
What to focus on going forward

Homeroom:
Tuesdays Zoom Meeting (2 hours)

Study Hall:
Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours)
Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program.

Discord:
Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.