Classical Drawing

Renaissance masters developed a simple method of drawing using spherical forms and chiarouscuro modeling to create their timeless works of Art.  In this first chapter students will learn light and shade theory (Chiaroscuro) and how to draw a sphere using a 9 value scale on gray toned paper.  The following topics will be explored in this overall lecture:

• 9 value scale

• How to begin a drawing with a simple map.

• How to establish a coherent tonal structure.

• How to model form using the graining technique.

In this lecture we will learn the classic order of light, and the meaning of Chiaroscuro lighting.  Students will also learn how to identify values and their respective behaviors through a numerical system.

This lecture explores in detail the historical materials used by Renaissance masters and their proper use throughout our entire course.

This lecture guides the student in step by step instructions on how to sharpen the pencil to achieve subtle values in drawings.

Introduction to a 9 value scale system.  After completing this lecture you will be able to create subtle values in your drawings in a structured progressive order.

Learn to construct a simple sphere using a map to guide the overall drawing process.

Learn to establish the shade mass to create unity and harmony in your drawing.

This lecture teaches the student how to begin to achieve subtle values to create an effective tonal structure.

This lecture demostrates how to effectively develop the light values to create a sense of three dimensional form.

This lecture concludes our sphere drawing exercise by demonstrating how to refine the work, and to create a strong contrast through consistent layering of the charcoal medium.

Still life drawing dates back to Roman times.  Artists from the past used still objects to learn to depict natural forms with light and shade behaviors.  In this chapter students will learn how to use ovoids and overlaps to construct natural organic forms.  This still life drawing exercise explores the following topics:

• Hatching Method.

• Convex and concave forms.

• Ovoids and overlapping forms.

• Composition.

• How to use natural scale in your drawings.

This lecture explores the use of convex and concave forms to create a sense of volume in your drawings.

This lecture introduces the student to the idea of ovoidal forms.  This system of drawing was used by most renaissance masters to depict the human figure.  Through this lecture students will gain an thorough understanding of how to use ovoids to represent figurative forms.

Hatching is a method of drawing that exploits the use of cross contour.  In this lecture we will explore both graining and hatching techniques to develop a rich sense of value in your artwork.

This demonstration highlights how to compose your drawing using the Quadrant and a plumb line.  Students can expect to gain a thorough uderstanding of the picture plane and the different pictorial strategies to create a successful composition.

This chapter introduces the student to the natural scale of objects, and the proper use of dividers or calipers to measure accurate proportions when establishing the initial drawing map.

This lecture demonstrates in detail how to observe and construct the drawing using ovoids.  Students can expect to develop a thorough understanding on how to identify and draw ovoidal forms in their artwork.

This lecture demonstrates how to identify and establish the third contour and shadow mass.  Students will also learn about Compositional Chiaroscuro.

This lecture explores in depth the role of the third countour, and how to further develop the drawing from a simple map to a cohesive tonal exploration.

This lecture teaches the student to refine the counters of the forms, and to create a sense of atmosphere in the overall drawing by establishing accurate values in the shade mass.

This final lecture teaches the student to establish the light mass, and to further refine and finish the drawing by pushing the values to the extreme lights and darks.  After completion of this first still life exercise the student will have a thorough understanding of values and charcoal modeling through hatching and graining techniques. Through constant practice the student will further these skills and gain proficency in the techniques of classical drawing.

During the Italian Renaissance Filippo Brunelleschi developed a system of drawing called Linear Perspective. The method was based on the depiction of a horizon with lines converging to one or various vanishing points. In this chapter we will explore one point perspective to help students develop a sense of space and foreshortening. The following topics will be explored in this overall lecture:

• One point perspective.

• How to construct a cylinder in foreshortening.

• How to model light and shade with cylindrical forms.

• How to construct a tile floor using Leone Battista Alberti's method.

This lecture demonstrates the construction of a classical tile floor plane using Leon Batista Alberti's method.  Student will also learn how to draw a cylinder using the floor plane as a guide and how to apply the previously learned techniques of light and shade to the perspective drawing.

After completion of this perspective drawing exercise, students will gain a basic understanding of the one point perspective drawing system developed during the Renaissance by Brunelleschi.  Through this drawing method students will have the necessary skills to construct sucessful imagined three dimensional environments and architectural renderings.

Bister was a historical ink used by the old masters to create washes and line work in their drawings.  This brief chapter explores how to prepare the ink for the preparation of toned paper.

The old masters used a variety of toned papers to great effect in their arsenal of artistic techniques.  In this brief demonstration students will learn how to prepare an earth colored paper that will later be used to copy a Michelangelo drawing.

Copying drawings by great artists has been a common place practice in art education since antiquity.  This drawing exercise introduces the student to the drawing technique of Michelangelo. In this first lecture we will learn how to establish the proper scale and how to capture the basic forms.

This lecture teaches the student to study Michelangelo's technique in great detail.  We will learn about his approach to modeling form and his singular expression of anatomy.

This lecture guides the student through the historical techniques employed by Michelangelo to accentuate the light masses, and to further build the modeling to create a solid sense of form.

This final lecture explores how to create the final accents to give the copy the volume and atmosphere typical of Renaissance drawings.  After completion of this exercise students will gain a deep understanding of the techniques and methods employed by Michelangelo to create his masterful drawings.  Students will gain the necessary skills to study and copy master drawings to strengthen they draftsmanship skills.

This lecture offers the student a detailed explanation of the historic materials used for cast drawing.

This lecture guides the student through the first measurements and placement of the initial forms.

This lecture teaches the student on the use of the drawing envelope and how to map the basic forms.

This lecture focuses on learning to see the shadow masses or shapes to create unity and a sense of relief in the drawing.

After a thorough process for measuring proportions, students are taught to establish the basic details in this lecture.

This final lecture teaches the student to refine the cast drawing using a variety of techniques learned throughout the entire course.  After completetion of this final exercise the student will have a sound understanding of proportion, modeling and how to draw complex figurative forms in a comprehensive manner.

Congratulations on finishing this course.  Artists have trained with these methods of drawing for hundred of years.  I hope you have learned a great deal from this course dedicated to the drawing techniques of the renaissance masters.  Practice constantly.  Thank you for time!