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Practical Anatomy

Practical Anatomy,  Figure Drawing and Painting without the Need for a Model

WINTER 2025 UPDATE

We are offering a general in-person adult class at various times each week. This wide-ranging class will allow students to continue their training in specific areas of interest as they receive instruction on a one-on-one project basis.

Choose one of these times when registering:

Mon 7:00pm-9:00pm
Tue 6:00pm-8:00pm
Wed 6:00pm-8:00pm
Thu 10:00am-12:00pm
Thu 2:00pm-4:00pm
Sat 1:00pm-3:00pm
Sat 3:30pm-5:30pm

You may also take

Manga, Superheroes & Fantasy Figures Online: Character Design

Or

Manga, Superheroes & Fantasy Figures Online: Visual Storytelling

Or

Digital Illustration & Composition Online

If you have any questions, please call us (651) 699-1573.

Thank you for your interest.

Schedule for Winter – Spring – Fall 2025
Schedule for Summer 2025

Supply List

The Thinker, by Rodin
"I have always tried to express the inner feeling by the mobility of the muscles … Pass over useless details and seize only upon the truth of the whole."
-Auguste Rodin (1840-1917)

Historically, fine artists were capable of drawing and painting the human figure independently of a live model or photographic reference, allowing them to compose innovative works using nothing other than their imaginations. Such knowledge allowed a freedom of thought and expression often lacking in today’s figurative works. This class is designed specifically to teach students how to draw anatomically correct figures without the use of a live model and teaches students how to paint the figure using historical painting methods.

Our Practical Anatomy, Figure Drawing and Painting course starts students off with a set of easily remembered proportions, builds shapes and boxes around those proportions, introduces drawing techniques and strategies for conveying action, and ends with informative lectures on artistic anatomy. Each lesson is designed to dramatically improve imaginative or life drawing skills. The instructor supplies master drawings, photographic references and casts to help students grasp each concept. Handouts from classic anatomy texts and the instructor’s own notebooks are given to supplement lectures. As anatomy and figure construction becomes more intuitive, students are encouraged to develop works of pure imagination. Whether your goal is to compose master works, improve your life drawings, or get an absolutely solid introduction to the figure, this course will not disappoint. Typically, each session is a great mixture of beginners and experienced students.

Anatomy Artwork

Leg Study by John Vanderpoel
John H Vanderpoel (1857-1911)
Drawing from his book, The Human Figure
Charcoal and white chalk on toned paper
Nose and Mouth Study by John Vanderpoel
John H Vanderpoel (1857-1911)
Drawing from his book, The Human Figure
Charcoal and white chalk on toned paper
Figure Study by Sir Edward John Poynter
Sir Edward John Poynter (1836-1919) Study for his Fresco at St. Stephens, Dulwich Charcoal on toned paper

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