Byzantine Iconography Series 6: Drawing Seated Figures

Name: Byzantine Iconography Series 6: Drawing Seated Figures
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Drawing Seated, Reclining and Kneeling Figures

Last updated 10/2020

English

What you'll learn

5 sections • 18 lectures • 2h 32m total length

S6T1.1 Introduction1:29
Study drawing seated figures in Byzantine iconography, focusing on the frontal throne pose for Christ and saints. Use tracing or tablet studies to reveal the underlying structure and garment folds.
S6T1.2 Basic Structure8:55
Develop the basic structure for drawing seated figures, starting with the head, pelvis, and legs, and apply foreshortening for forward-facing elements like the hands and gospel book.
S6T1.3 Garments14:06
Study how garments are drawn on seated figures in Byzantine iconography, focusing on consistent line direction and careful drawing techniques.
S6T1.4 Face2:17
Complete the face drawing as the tutorial guides you through final facial features and expression, concluding the lesson with a reflective, hands-on practice.

S6T2.1 Intro11:50
Explore drawing seated figures in Byzantine iconography, focusing on depth, transfer lines, and relational perspective that project the figure toward the viewer; practice with a four-head, three-quarter figure.
S6T2.2 Basic Structure4:04
Start with a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, then draw angled lines to place the head, torso, and depth for seated figure, emphasizing movement toward the viewer over anatomy.
S6T2.3 Garments and Face15:54

S6T3.1 Intro1:27
Examine reclining and seated figures in Byzantine iconography and how vertical relative perspective twists them toward the viewer, shaping head-to-feet proportions in icons of Christ and the Theotokos.
S6T3.2 Basic Structure4:38
Establish vertical and horizontal axes to orient the figure, build a three-quarters head with a twisted body radiating toward the viewer, and measure sections from eye level.
S6T3.3 Face and Garments17:17

4.1 Intro2:30
4.2 Basic Structure8:45
Learn to build a seated figure with accurate proportions using a three-quarter head and three-quarter body width, guiding the torso with an s-curve and positioning shoulders, arms, and hands.
4.3 Body4:34
4.4. Garment16:08
4.5 Face16:08
Apply curved lines to render volume and plasticity around the legs and loincloths, sketch the crucifixion marks on hands and feet, and shade the face to convey burial of Christ.

5.1 Intro2:26
Explore kneeling stances in Byzantine iconography, from prostrate to upright, and their meanings—worship, veneration, supplication, mourning—through illustrated examples and a basic kneeling figure drawing.
5.2 Basic Structure4:55
Draw the access line and curved lines from the head to map the figure's motion, then build the basic head and body structure using the Boeing sequence in three-quarters.
5.3 Face and Garments14:47

In this Series we will be studying Seated, Reclining and Kneeling Figures

In Section 1 we will start of with the Frontal seated or enthroned figure.

In Section 2 will with learn the basics of Vertical or Relational Perspective and how it is used to draw the 3/4 figure.

In Section 3 we will study the reclining figure of the Theotokos from the Nativity icon.

In Section 4 we learn how to draw the burial of Christ as he is depicted on the Epitaphion

Finally in Series 5 we will study a figure in a kneeling pose.

Required Materials: Pencil, paper and eraser.

Intermediate Students who have completed the first 5 series of drawing tutorials