Course 1006, section 1: Summer Quarter 2008
Figure Drawing for Beginners!

Sponsored by: ASUW Experimental College
Location: University of Washington campus (Seattle branch)
Summer quarter dates and times: Saturdays 1 pm-2:45 pm, July 19-August 9
Course fee (for General Public): $99
Nils Osmar, instructor 

In this class you'll learn how to draw the human figure using an easy step-by-step method. We'll start by sketching some figures based on simple underlying shapes, then add in the details. You'll learn about proportions and foreshortening, motion and action, and how to use shading to make the figure look real and three-dimensional. No need to buy or bring any art materials; they're all provided. (Scroll down for registration information)

Frequently Asked Questions:

What will we be doing in the class?
We'll start off with some exercises to help students get comfortable with the materials, then move on to drawing simplified figures based on simple underlying shapes such as ovals and cylinders. (The instructor will draw the shapes on a chalkboard, and ask students to draw along.) 

We'll practice the simplified figures for a while, then start learning about the proportions. Again, we'll have lots of time in class to practice and make sure things are doing well at this stage.

After we've learned and practiced the proportions, we'll learn how to add in the muscles and other details. We'll also learn about foreshortening, light and shade, and how to use negative space (the shape of the space around the figure you're drawing) to help get a resemblance to the particular person you're drawing. (scroll down for more information)

By the end of the class, you'll have learned techniques that will make you more comfortable drawing people, whether you're drawing them from life, photos, or from your imagination. You'll have fun, draw a lot, and learn a lot.

Is this a life drawing class where we draw from a live model?
It's not a life drawing class per se, but a step-by-step figure drawing class. This means that we may do some drawing from live models, but it is not all we will do. Our main focus will be on learning an easy method of understanding the figure and getting down the shapes and proportions, so that students can get a good result whether they're drawing from life, photos or imagination.

Does this course cover drawing faces too?
We do learn some information about sketching heads and faces, but most of our time will be spent on the rest of the figure. If you want in-depth information about how to draw heads and faces from different angles, how to draw facial expressions, etc., you should also take Learn to Draw Faces.

Will we learn about drawing hands?
Yes, one of the class sessions will cover how to draw hands (and feet).

It sounds fun! But I'm really new at drawing. Should I take a beginning drawing class first?
Figure Drawing for Beginners is an easy, step-by-step class and is open to everyone, regardless of experience level. Both beginners and experienced artists usually do well in the course. (If you are looking for a good introductory drawing class, check out Drawing for absolute beginners, by the same instructor. But again, you're welcome in Figure Drawing whether you take the beginning drawing class or not.)

Is it really possible to learn the basics of figure drawing in only four class sessions?
The human figure is challenging and interesting to draw, and artists study it for years sometimes. But you can learn a great deal of key information in a few classes, if the information is well organized and there is an opportunity to practice it. Our goal in this class is to provide that information and practice, and get you off to a good start. Artists often tell us that the things they learned in this course made a night and day difference in their artwork.

Do I need to bring any materials with me, or buy them in class?
No, all materials are provided by the instructor. 

Can you tell me more about the instructor?
Nils Osmar has made his living in the arts for over twenty years, working as a freelance illustrator, writer and independent film producer, and teaching both accredited and non-credit classes. He currently teaches through the ASUW Experimental College and the Wonder School of the Arts, His art classes at the Experimental College include Learn to Draw Faces, Drawing for absolute beginnersg, Cartooning, Exploring Color, Drawing Flowers, and Perspective for Beginners (All of them are open to beginners)

How do I sign up?
See registration information, below.

Student comments

(I liked) the instructor's ability to simplify the important concepts necessary to draw the human figure including foreshortening. (comment submitted online)

Instructors attitude toward students, their objectives and their out put was positive and affirming....encouraging and accepting (comment submitted online)

This was my first figure drawing class, I had no idea what to expect when I walked in the door. I felt comfortable at all times and I enjoyed the different skill levels in the class. I loved the teacher and overall I learned a great deal and had fun in the class. I would for sure recommend it to a friend! (comment submitted online)

I liked learning techniques. Nils simplified the process so that drawing the figure is not so daunting to me any more. Great class! (comment submitted online)

It was great, exactly what I was hoping for. I improved a lot and I understand the figure better now. - M.L., Seattle

Thanks for the extra help with hands and feet. The class was excellent and I'll be back for some more in the future. - S.F., Seattle

At LAST I understand about proportions!!!!! Thank you for explaining the difference between the three types. And it was nice having all the materials provided. - S.L., Seattle

What I liked: the handouts, the lectures, the step by step stuff, the instructor's knowledge and organized approach. Disliked: no latte stand in the building! Okay, okay, I'll bring my own next time :) --O.E., Bellevue

This was a great class for me. It went at an easy pace, but covered more than most figure drawing classes cover in a year. My wife mentioned the improvement in my drawings. - R.G., Seattle

Nils is well organized and presents the information stap by step so that everyone can keep up. There was a good balance between the parts where he was showing us how to do things, and the drawing periods when we could practice it. - S.B., Seattle 

I loved it, it was really fun. - K.A., Seattle

Registration information: how to sign up

Figure Drawing for Beginners is sponsored by the ASUW (Associated Students University of Washington) Experimental College, and is held on the U.W. campus in Seattle. It's a non-credit class open to everyone; you do not have to be a U.W. student to attend. The University of Washington is committed to providing equal access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accomodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accomodations, contact the Disability Office at least ten days in advance at: (206)543-6450/V, (206)543-6452/TTY, (206)685-7264 (fax) or email dso@u.washington.edu

To sign up by mail: You can sign up by mail at any time. To do so, click here to download the mail-in registration formThen fill it out and mail it to: ASUW Experimental College Box 352238 SAO 21 University of Washington Seattle WA 98195-2238 (Note: mail-in registrations won't be processed until June 23rd.)

To sign up online: Online registration for summer quarter Experimental College classes will begin on June 9th. (Please do not try signing up online before that time! Or you may end up in the spring quarter class instead.) We'll post a registration link here when summer online registrations begin.

To sign up by phone: Phone registrations for summer quarter Experimental College classeswill begin onJune 23rd We'll post more information here at that time.
Want an email reminder about registrations? To be added to the instructor's email list, email Nilsosmar@gmail.com You'll receive an email reminder when online and phone registrations begin.

Whatever method you use to register, you will only be charged a $10 registration fee for each class you are enrolling in, when you sign up (or $5 if you are a UW student.) The course fee is not due until the first day of class.

Questions? Problems registering? Call 206-420-1309 or emailNilsosmar@gmail.com

Other classes of interest

Sponsored by the ASUW Experimental College:
Drawing for absolute beginners
Learn to Draw Faces
Figure Drawing for beginners 
Cartooning
Perspective for Beginners: Drawing in Depth
Drawing Clothing and Drapery
Exploring Color
Beginning Acting
Acting in a Movie
Filmmaking 101
Writing Fiction and Short Stories
It's Time to Write Your Screenplay
Adobe Photoshop

Sponsored by other schools *
Drawing & painting Flowers
Drawing in Ink
Drawing comic books and graphic novels
Acrylic painting for beginners
Drawing with colored pencils
Documentary filmmaking
Editing tips & tricks for filmmakers
FX Makeup for filmmakers
Improv for beginners: acting without scripts
How to make commercials & infomercials
Free up your writing! (Beyond writer's block)
Writing science fiction & fantasy

* click on the course title for registration information