Byzantine Iconography Series 4: Drawing the Full Figure (P3)

Name: Byzantine Iconography Series 4: Drawing the Full Figure (P3)
Rating: 5.0 (18 reviews)

Laying the Foundations for Byzantine Iconography

Created byBridget Hayes

Last updated 9/2019

English

What you'll learn

Students will learn to draw the garments of Imperial Saints, Martyrs and Holy Unmercenaries in frontal poses.
Basic rules of composition for drawing an icon with two figures.

Course content

3 sections • 15 lectures • 1h 25m total length

Introduction2:37
9.2 St Constantine 17:31
9.3 St Constantine 27:34
Learn to draw St Constantine II in a full-figure Byzantine icon, using an access line as a starting point, detailing crown placement, hair, and the emperor's imperial costume.
9.4 St Theodora13:23
Draw St. Theodora in a byzantine icon with a long-sleeve tunic, decorative cross band, crown and halo, and a hand toward the gospel book, emphasizing the half-figure composition.

10.1 Introduction1:46
Explore drawing the full figure in byzantine iconography, studying garment folds, neck and hem details, decorative trimmings, color, and jewels to convey rank, including left-hand prayer gesture and combining figures.
10.2 Basic Structure3:23
Develop the basic figure structure by outlining a curved axis, an angled shoulder, and a leg, then refine subtle angles and cross lines to project the surface toward the viewer.
10.3 Garments 18:15
Explore drawing garments by showing a cloak draping over the leg, with folds and a visible knee beneath, and extending lines from the arm.
10.4 Garments 24:15
Demonstrate dynamic full-figure drawing by conveying movement with a swinging line, a chimney coming down, smoke, darkness, and the scream of narrow escapes.
10.5 Face2:14
Explore drawing the face within Byzantine iconography, as the full-figure technique unfolds. Follow this tutorial to address facial features and continue the practice in the series.

11.1 Introduction3:43
11.2 Garments 19:02
Establish a basic two-figure composition in cosmos, align arm positions to create transfer lines and relational dynamics, and ensure harmony and visibility for all figures.
11.3 Garments 27:35
Practice drawing the full figure and garments in Byzantine iconography. Analyze the relationships and angles between figures to build dynamic compositions.
11.4 Garments 35:28
John Benson highlights creating volume and a sense of journey in the full figure through gesture, a pointing pose, and spotlight as you go down the stairs.
11.5 Garments 45:12
Learn to draw the full figure and garments in Byzantine iconography through lesson 11.5 garments 4 of the series.
11.6 Faces3:46

Requirements

Students should have completed Series 1 (Drawing the Face)
Series 3: Garment Basics
Series 4: Drawing the Full Figure (P1)

Description

In this course, Part 3 of Series 4, we will continue to draw full figure Saints and their garments, by putting into practice what was learned in the series on Garment Basics. We will also go more in depth into the use of the transverse principle in created rhythm and harmony in our figures as well as how it is used in composing icons of more than one figure.

In section one we will be studying the garments of Imperial and Noble Saints.

In Section two we will learn to draw the garments of the martyrs.

Finally, in Section 3 we will draw the garments of the Unmercenary Saints and learn basic rules of composition for drawing two figures together.

Required Materials: Pencil, paper and eraser.

Who this course is for:

Intermediate

Byzantine Iconography Series 4: Drawing the Full Figure (P3)

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Imperial and Noble Saints4 lectures • 31min

Martyrs5 lectures • 20min

Holy Unmercenaries (Basic Composition)6 lectures • 35min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: