FULL FIGURE QUICK SKETCH | ANGELA CUNNINGHAM

18 Feb

Dates:Friday 11th - Sunday 13th September
Times: 10am - 5pm
Location:Enniskerry
Skill Level: all levels welcome

Please see detailed workshop information below

If this course is fully booked or not currently scheduled, go ahead add your name to the waiting list HERE

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aBOUT THE WORKSHOP

Throughout this three-day workshop, students will work from a live model in a series of 20–40 minute poses. Emphasis will be placed on simplifying large shapes, identifying gesture and movement, understanding tilts and alignments, measuring proportions, and organising light and shadow patterns. These fundamental principles form the foundation of strong figure drawing and painting.

We will begin with PanPastel/charcoal drawing on toned paper. PanPastel handles much like paint while offering the control and simplicity of drawing media, making it an excellent introduction to working quickly and efficiently. Students who prefer drawing media are welcome to continue working in PanPastel throughout the entire workshop instead of moving into paint.

On the second day, we will transition to monochromatic oil painting on toned canvas or panel. By limiting ourselves to a single color family and a range of values, students can focus on developing an understanding of form, gesture, composition, and light without the added complexity of paint and working with paint brushes.

The third day introduces a limited color palette and the fundamentals of mixing skin tones. Using a structured palette and simplified value organization, students will explore the relationships between shadow, halftone, and light while learning how value and chroma work together to describe form.

This workshop is designed to strengthen observational skills, increase confidence, and help artists learn to work decisively. By moving quickly and focusing on the most important visual information, students will develop a stronger understanding of the figure and a more direct approach to drawing and painting from life.

- Simplify large shapes – Break down the figure into manageable, fundamental forms.
- Identify gesture and movement – Capture the dynamic energy and flow of the pose.
- Understand tilts and alignments – Recognize subtle angles and relationships between body parts.
- Measure proportions accurately – Develop reliable observational skills for scale and placement.
- Organize light and shadow patterns – See and separate value masses clearly.
- Work quickly and efficiently – Focus on essential visual information, especially during 20–40 minute poses.
- Use PanPastel on toned paper – Experience a medium that blends drawing control with painterly handling.
- Transition to monochromatic oil painting – Concentrate on form, gesture, and composition without color complexity.
- Apply a limited color palette – Mix skin tones and explore how value and chroma describe form.
- Strengthen decisiveness and confidence – Develop a more direct, observational approach to working from a live model.
Day 1: Friday, 10;00-5:00 PM
PanPastel/ charcoal drawing on toned paper • 20-40minute poses
Day 2: Saturday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Monochrome oil painting sketches • 25–40 minute poses
Day 3: Sunday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Limited-palette color oil painting sketches • 25–40 minute poses
A different model will be featured each day, offering students the opportunity to work from a variety of body types, genders, skin tones, and poses.
Day 1:
-       Pan Pastel - black
-       “Soft” pallet knife with sponges. Various tip shapes- flat, round, pointed
-       Jar of charcoal powder
-       paper 18” x 24” strathmore drawing paper pad
-       kneaded eraser
-       tuff stuff pencil eraser
-       measuring stick - metal skewer (shishkebab skewer, knitting needle, bike spoke all work well).
-       chamois or paper towels
-       various charcoal pencils/sticks (optional)
Day 2:
-       canvas paper sheet pad ( Size 12” x 16” Or 18” x 24.
You will need about 15-18 surfaces to use for each day.
-       Optional-. Students are welcome to try various canvas/paper surfaces. Be sure to realize these are quick 20 minute sketches. You want cheap, easy surfaces to change out quickly. Size can vary as well. Canvas panels, loose canvas, Various colored toned thicker paper sealed with GAC (Golden acrylic sealer) also works well for these quick sketches. I like to bring various types and colors.
-       Your choice of one of the three neutral oil paint colors. If you're buying paint- Gamblin brand is my preferred. But if you have paints already just bring what brands you already have.
-       Burnt umber oil paint
-       **Van dyke brown - gamblin brand (must have color, must be Gamblin brand)
-       Raw umber
-       **Titanium white (must have color)
-       palette- I prefer a handheld palette. New Wave is my favorite brand. But students are also welcome to use disposable palette sheets or other palettes they already have.
-       Palette knife- tear drop shape
-       Turpenoid orderless
-       Turpenoid container
-       brushes sizes 1-5. Various sizes and shapes and synthetic and natural hair.
-       Paper towels
-       plastic grocery store bags to keep your dirty paper towels in.
-       Measuring stick (still need from day 1)
Day 3:
-       Bring all the things from day 2
-       Canvas sheet pad. Size 12” x 16”. 15-18 total for the day. various other surfaces mentioned above may also be tried.
-       Acrylic paint - gray or gray gesso. We will be toning canvas sheets the day prior with a neutral gray.
-       Oil Paint. Bring these extra colors - If you’re buying paint- Gamblin brand is my preferred. But if you have paints already just bring what brands you already have. Not all colors may be used in class. We will learn how to choose our colors based on the skin tone of the model. All colors can be purchased at Townsend if you wish to wait and only purchase the colors needed for the day.
-       yellow ochre
-       cadmium yellow
-       cadmium red
-       Scheveningen Orange - **old holland brand. Optional but makes a great skin tone color.
-       burnt umber
-       Burnt sienna
-       Sap green
-       alizarin crimson
-       cobalt blue
-       **Van Dyke Brown - Gamblin brand (must have and must be Gamblin brand)
-       **Titanium white