Abstract Figures: Level 3

Express yourself and tell your own story. We will begin with a session of loose, gestural life drawing with a clothed model.

In this class, Shirin will share with you many of her secrets to creating figurative abstract paintings!

Topics covered:

• seeing key shapes in the face
• simplifying and abstracting a figure
• using expressive color
• using a photo as a jumping off point
• seeing your painting as a whole composition and not just a "subject matter and its background.”

Students will study other artists who paint figures, and create unique paintings. You'll learn how to incorporate expressive color and unusual compositions to make your figurative paintings loose and free. Some weeks may feature demos on how to use gold leafing and mixed media.

Each week, there will be a new lesson and students can repeat this course as often as they'd like. Students will get 1-on-1 guidance from the instructor and group feedback.

Students will even get to sketch with a live model and walk away with several developed gestural sketches in addition to their 1-2 paintings.

Supply List for Students to Bring:

This is a studio class and students will be using their supplies on the first week.

• 2 medium canvases
• all your painting supplies (paints, palette knife, and various size brushes etc.)
• various drawing materials and paper for the day with a live model
• $10 model fee
• cotton rags or Blue Shop Towels