WORKSHOPS

The workshop will set clearly the framework for learning the craft of life drawing as a foundation for serious figurative work. We will focus on the head and figure in both short and long pose. The study and practice of drawing is to develop an understanding of the underlying abstractions, geometry and structures that exists in nature. Students will develop concepts based on analytical observation and study of theoretical and historical references. This will help develop the skill to successfully create believable representations from direct observation, as well as from memory or imagination.

The morning sessions will be dedicated to drawing the head in a long pose that will last five days. Both morning and afternoon sessions will begin with short poses before the long pose. The objective of the short poses is to seize the head or figure quickly and vigorously to capture the rhythmic action of the pose and to acquire knowledge of its construction. The afternoon session will be devoted to a long pose drawing of the figure that will also carry over one week. The long pose is designed make a thorough study of the model’s gesture, shape, construction and light on form. We will analyze the differences and the similarities of short and long pose drawing approaches and why both are necessary for a well-rounded understanding of the head and figure. Demonstrations with historical references will be used to accent each stage of the drawing process. Materials and methods will be studied that pertain to certain styles of drawing. Individual needs of each student are addressed and there will be lectures and demonstrations from the model.

Jon deMartin received a B.F.A from Pratt Institute. He studied privately with Michael Aviano at the Art Students league with Gustav Rehberger and Nelson Shanks, and independently with Daniel Greene. In Addition he trained in the cast drawing with Millet Andrejevic and Edward Schmidt. Jon has taught at the Art Students league, The New York Academy, Parsons School of Design, The Bay Area Classical Artist Atelier, Studio Incamminati and the Woodstock School of Art and Gage Academy. His work appeared in Art in America, Art News, Art & Antique and the Classicist, and he contributed articles to the magazine American Artist. Jon is represented by the Classical Gallery in Alexandria, VA, Hirschl and Adler Gallery in New York and the John Pence Gallery in San Francisco.