Amanda Joy Calobrisi

Unlock your creativity in our dynamic figure drawing course. Here, you'll have the opportunity to work from a live nude model, honing your skills by observing the human form. Expect an exciting mix of rapid sketches and longer poses paired with inspiration from photographs and your imagination. Explore the essential elements of life drawing¿like anatomy, proportion, composition, and expressive techniques¿focusing on using black and white media such as graphite, charcoal, and conte crayon to bring your visions to life. Challenge yourself with exercises like blind contour drawing and memory sketches that will push your artistic boundaries. Trips to the Art Institute of Chicago, presentations on inspiring historical and contemporary artists, and constructive critiques will help you grow. This course is perfect for newcomers eager to explore their creativity and those looking to enhance their artistic skills in a supportive and engaging environment. Note: Figure Drawing and Figure Painting use nude models hired by the School. Other painting and drawing classes may use them to a lesser degree.

Working from the nude model, students learn how to draw the human form from direct observation. The essential elements of life drawing, including anatomy, proportion, volume, composition, gesture, and the accurate and expressive use of line and tone are addressed to provide a focus for increasing skill. With a shared emphasis on traditional and non-traditional drawing techniques, students experiment with a variety of wet and dry materials, which may include charcoal, conte crayon, pastels, ink, and water-based paints. The course is also designed to provide a forum for students to explore new conceptual directions related to contemporary figuration while developing a more mature artistic practice through individual attention from the instructor, feedback from peers, trips to the Art Institute of Chicago, critiques, and artist presentations.
*NOTE* Previous drawing experience required. Students are encouraged to bring their own digital camera, tablet, and/or laptop for homework/research and after-studio hours projects.

In this course students will focus interests and refine their skills to create strong, portfolio-quality work. This advanced course is intended for students with previous drawing and/or painting experience who are ready to experiment, take risks, and push their skills to the next level. The organization of ideas and development of self-directed work is emphasized with instructor guidance and peer support. Students explore contemporary artistic practices through interdisciplinary approaches that cultivate material exploration, image making strategies, and traditional and non-traditional drawing and painting techniques. Lead by their individual projects and goals, students may choose to work in a variety of media, such as water-based paint, oil paint, ink, pencil, charcoal, collage, or a combination of media. Trips to the Art Institute of Chicago, contemporary artist presentations, group critiques, daily writing exercises, and class discussions supplement the studio experience.

*NOTE* Painting and/or drawing experience and ability to work independent of specific assignments required. Students are encouraged to bring their own digital camera, tablet, and/or laptop for homework/research and after-studio hours projects. Note: Figure Drawing, Figure Painting, Painting, and Drawing courses may use nude models hired by the School. Other classes may use them to a lesser degree.

This course introduces students to materials, methods, and tools used in oil painting while helping them develop observational skills. Demonstrations will cover stretching canvas, setting up a palette, applying different painting techniques, and mixing colors. These sessions provide a solid foundation in the fundamentals of oil painting, preparing students for future projects.

Painting Practice is an introductory painting course offering. The curriculum addresses basic skills as related to a painting studio practice. Topics and curricular goals include material, facility and technique, space and color, as well as concept. This course is a prerequisite for all Multi-level Painting, Figure Painting and Advanced Painting Studio classes.

Painting Practice is an introductory painting course offering. The curriculum addresses basic skills as related to a painting studio practice. Topics and curricular goals include material, facility and technique, space and color, as well as concept. This course is a prerequisite for all Multi-level Painting, Figure Painting and Advanced Painting Studio classes.

Are you curious about creating figure drawings life size or larger?

This multi-level studio will introduce you to the exciting challenge of drawing the human form from observation on large supports while learning about drawing techniques spanning the pre-modern era into the present day. Students working with figurative subjects will be able to experiment with scale changes on 3? x 6? paper. Students who want to work even larger are encouraged. Formal points of departure are presented clearly through daily morning lectures and demonstrations, using a full array of examples from art history, contemporary art as well as frequent museum visits.

The class exercises begin with quick monochromatic sketches and progress to full color extended studies. There is one final project assignment. The majority of the required work is completed during class time. The large format allows students of all abilities to make significant improvements quickly.

This studio drawing course explores how narrative operates in the history and traditions of figure painting. The class incorporates a range of methods; visits to the museum and galleries; introduce written material into drawn images; and analyze forms of narrative, including short film, graphic novels, abstraction, and sculpture. Sessions will focus on how mood, color, light and the passing of time influence how we read and produce a narrative image.