Using the Bargue Course to Improve Your Pencil Drawing

Produced by 8D Studio and instructed by Juan Carlos Martínez.

We offer nearly 3 hours of quality information, demonstration, detail discussion, illustration, tips, problem solving and more. On top of that, a few suggested exercises are available to help with the understanding of certain key concepts.

An in-class student could spend up to six-months to learn the basics of pencil drawing. In these video lessons, the gist of the information is offered but the viewer should practice at least 4 drawings to fully appreciate the depth and breadth of what is covered here.

1. Introduction

   1. Welcome

   2. An introduction to Bargue Drawing

2. Starting with lines

   1. Setting up for success

   2. Line quality

      1. Exercise - draw the facial features

   3. Tools and materials

3. The silhouette

   1. The silhouette - part 1

   2. The silhouette - part 2

   3. The silhouette - part 3

      1. Exercise - study the silhouette

   4. Second pass

   5. Filling in

      1. Exercise - value scale

   6. Perfecting and clean up

4. Rendering and finishing

   1. Rendering: Rounding and shading - part 1

   2. Rendering: Rounding and shading - part 2

   3. Finish

      1. Exercise - More Bargue plates to study from

- ABOUT JUAN -

Juan Carlos Martínez is a multi-award winning Artist and Art educator for more than twenty years. Recognized as a Living Master by the Art Renewal Center, Juan is known for his Portrait and Figurative works. His works and commissions hang in public as well as private collections in Canada, US, and Europe.

As an educator, Juan was a Senior Instructor at the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto and conducted workshops Internationally. He authored several articles for major art publications. Juan frequently lectures on technical or art historical and other matters relating to representational art and its grand traditions.

Today, Juan continually develops his body of work and maintains an influence as a teacher and mentor, and as a commissioned portrait painter. He also welcomes inquiry regarding available work, commissions, or about instruction, lectures, and workshops.

- TESTIMONIALS -

"Juan was instrumental to my growth as a painter, and I would not be the artist I am today without his guidance. He's not only a great teacher but very fun and interesting with knowledge in topics beyond the visual arts that relate directly to them. He is possibly an ancient wizard, despite his age claims, he looks not a day over 40."

- David Shepherd

"I had the great pleasure of working with Juan Martinez during his tenure at the Academy of Realist Art here in Toronto. The school offered a one-week course in 'alla-prima portrait painting' with senior instructor Juan Martinez and I immediately signed up. I had been a drawer for the past 50 years, so I was relatively new to painting having only started to paint in 2003. I felt that an intensive portrait painting workshop with one of the ARA’s principle instructors would be helpful in broadening my abilities.

Day One of the workshop began with a 3-hour demo by Juan and I immediately knew I was in the right place. Not only was he a superb painter, but his explanations of the process of painting were clear and well-directed to the various student levels in the room. His understanding of light and shadow and (more importantly) his ability to pass this understanding on to his students was remarkable. Over the week I found Juan to be an excellent instructor with personal, individual help for every student and an easy-going charm in the classroom. Would I sign up for the course again? Absolutely."

- Brian Smith AOCA