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Drawing Classes

Welcome to our drawing course, a 6-week journey designed to help you master the fundamental techniques of realistic drawing.

Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this course offers a deep dive into the art of observational drawing and realism.

When: Thursday evenings from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Dates: 6-week course from October 10 to November 14, 2024
Price: $450 + $67.39 (TVQ/TPS: 14.975%) = $517.39

Over the weeks, you'll be introduced to a comprehensive range of essential techniques and knowledge, from mastering drawing materials to exploring light and shadow to create three-dimensional works.

You'll learn to observe, analyze, and accurately reproduce shapes, textures, and nuances, whether in a natural landscape, a still life, or a strikingly lifelike portrait.

The benefits of this course are numerous:

  • Solid Skill Acquisition: You'll develop a deep understanding of classical drawing principles, enabling you to create realistic works with confidence and precision.

  • Structured Progression: Each week is designed to build on the previous knowledge, gradually leading you to more challenging exercises.

  • Personalized Feedback: You'll receive tailored advice suited to your level to help you progress optimally.

 

Join us on this artistic journey, where each pencil stroke will bring you closer to mastering classical drawing. Get ready to explore, experiment, and, most importantly, see your talent flourish.

Drawing Techniques - A 6-Week Journey

Week 1: Introduction to Drawing Materials

Introduction to Drawing Materials

Objective: Familiarization with the essential tools and materials used in classical drawing.

Content:

  • Overview of Drawing Materials: Various grades of graphite pencils, charcoal, how to sharpen and use them with extreme control and precision, suggested types of paper, and erasers.

  • Demonstration on the effective use of each tool.

  • Exploration of different line qualities and exercises to do before drawing.

  • Introduction to the value scale and how to achieve a full range of tones.

 

Exercise: Create a value scale using different materials (graphite and charcoal) and practice shading simple geometric shapes (cubes, spheres, cylinders).

 

Objective: By the end of this class, you will have a good understanding of drawing materials and how to manipulate them to achieve various effects.

Week 2: Landscape Drawing

​ Landscape Drawing

Objective: Develop skills to capture natural scenes through observational or realistic drawing.

Content:

  • Fundamentals of landscape composition and perspective.

  • How to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

  • Techniques for drawing trees, rocks, and other natural elements.

  • Emphasis on atmospheric perspective to create depth.

 

Exercise: Draw a landscape scene from a reference photo provided in class. Focus on accuracy and creating a sense of depth and atmosphere in the drawing.

 

Objective: Students will learn to break down a landscape into its essential components and create a sense of depth, realism, and perspective in their landscape drawings.

Week 3:
Still Life Drawing

Still life drawing from photo

 

Objective: To improve observation skills and the ability to represent objects with precision and detail.


Content :

  • Introduction to still life drawing.

  • Techniques for accurately drawing proportions and relationships between objects.

  • Using light and shadow to create a three-dimensional effect in the drawing.

 

Exercise: Create a still life drawing from a photo provided by the instructor, focusing on accurate representation, texture, proportions, and light and shadow.

Objective: Students will improve their ability to observe and draw details of objects, as well as understand the interaction of light and shadow on these objects.

Week 4 : Portrait Drawing

​Portrait Drawing from Reference and Capturing a Likeness

Objective: Build foundational skills for drawing realistic portraits with accurate proportions.

 

Content:

  • Introduction to drawing the portrait.

  • Techniques for measuring and establishing correct proportions of the head.

  • Understanding the placement of facial features and blocking in shapes correctly.

  • Modeling form and creating the illusion of depth in your portraits.

 

Assignment: Create a few block-in attempts to practice correct proportions and the placement of facial features in relation to the entire head. Next, begin a more finished portrait drawing with realistic shading and atmosphere.

 

Goal: Through select handouts, students will learn the essential techniques for capturing a likeness of a subject by establishing correct proportions. Then, students will begin a more finished portrait study from a reference, which they will develop further next week.

Week 5: Portrait Drawing – Modeling and Finishing

Portrait Drawing – Modeling and Finishing


Objective: Work on one single portrait drawing for the entirety of the class and focus on modeling, shading, and finishing touches.

 

Content:

  • Techniques for modeling the face using light and shadow to create form.

  • How to render details such as eyes, nose, mouth, and hair.

  • Blending and refining the drawing for a polished look.

  • Techniques for adding depth and character to the portrait.

 

Assignment: Complete a portrait drawing started in Week 4, focusing on refining details and achieving a realistic finish.

 

Goal: Students will develop the ability to bring their portrait drawings to life, with attention to detail, structure, expression, and realistic shading.

Week 6: Final Project and Review

 

Final Drawing Project and Review


Objective: Apply all the skills learned in order to further refine and complete a realistic drawing project begun in a previous week of the workshop (for example, portrait or still life drawing) and receive feedback.

 

Content:

  • Review of key concepts and techniques covered in the course.

  • How to practice drawing skills at home using reference materials such as master drawings.

  • Group critique and discussion of completed works.

 

Assignment: Bring to a high degree of finish a drawing that demonstrates the skills and techniques learned during the workshop.

 

Goal: By the end of this week, students will have a completed work that showcases their growth and understanding of classical drawing techniques.
 

Robert-Pietrantonio-1.jpg

I present to you

Robert Pietrantonio

Robert has been teaching art for over 11 years.

"When it comes to teaching students how to draw and paint, I pass on the techniques I've learned to observe and transcribe the visible world onto paper or canvas, without hindering anyone's personal style or voice."

Born in Montreal, Robert began drawing in his childhood. In his early twenties, he pursued classical art studies at the Atelier in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

He then studied with classically trained artists in Chicago and Boston.

He continued his education by going to Florence, where he studied the Old Masters.

During this time, he also traveled to France, studying the great academic and Impressionist painters.

After his artistic stay in Europe, Robert hired models in his studio and drew and painted his subjects from observation. It was during this period that he made significant progress and won the prestigious Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant for realist artists.

To refine his art, Robert attended numerous workshops with artists such as the late master portraitist Daniel E. Greene and contemporary realists like Anthony Ryder and Colleen Barry.

As an artist, Robert strives to combine precise drawing with an impressionistic approach to observing and seeing values and colors as a whole. He specializes in portraits but also enjoys drawing and painting still lifes, landscapes, and figures.

Robert Pietrantonio

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