An Introduction to Figure Drawing
Instructed by Dan O'Connor
Saturdays, 10 - 1 PM
March 14 - May 9, 2026
(No Class April 18)
Registration Deadline: March 11
[ *** REGISTER HERE *** ]
Description
The human figure is one of the most challenging—and rewarding—subjects in all of art. Introduction to Figure Drawing is designed for students who are new to drawing the figure or looking to strengthen their understanding of the fundamentals. Working from a live model, you’ll learn practical strategies for capturing the body’s proportions, structure, and gesture with clarity and confidence. Through guided exercises, you’ll explore how to break down complex forms into simpler shapes, how to measure relationships across the figure, and how to draw what you actually see rather than what you assume. You’ll be introduced to the basics of anatomy, gesture drawing, and composition, while also learning how to use line, value, and edge to bring your drawings to life. This course is approachable, but rooted in serious skill development—it’s not about stylization or shortcuts, but about learning to see the figure with accuracy. Whether your interest lies in fine art, illustration, animation, or just improving your drawing, this course lays a strong foundation for working with the human form.
This class will cover the following topics:
• Gesture Drawing as a way of Exploring Posture, Balance, Form, and Energy
• Contour Drawing and Line Weight
• Proportions - A Simplified Approach and General Canon
• Perceptual Tools: Measuring and Angling
• Basic Skeletal Structure
• Anatomy for the Artist
• Light and Shade
• Composing the Picture Plane with the Figure
Tuition: $385
(tuition includes a live model each class meeting)
Class Size
Minimum: 5
Maximum: 12
Materials List: (link to printable PDF)
Level of Study: Beginner
No experience? No problem. Or, perhaps you're returning to art after a hiatus. Beginner-level courses are designed for individuals with little to no prior experience in making art. These courses focus on building confidence, developing foundational skills, and encouraging creative exploration. They are ideal for anyone curious about art—whether you're picking up a pencil for the first time, returning after a long break, or simply looking for a structured, supportive environment to begin your creative journey.
Suggested Prerequisites: N/A
LOCATION: Unless otherwise specified, all courses are hosted at Manifest's new facility at 'M1' in Clifton at 3464 Central Parkway (see map and directions below). Manifest's new facility provides multiple studio classrooms, private lesson space, a darkroom, a film processing room, and a multi-purpose lecture and class meeting space as well as on-site parking, grounds, and exterior spaces in which to relax, discuss, and make art. The studios are outfitted with professional equipment, furniture, and study aids.
Map to Manifest's M1 Studios | Studio Calendar | Darkroom Calendar
|
Ramming
About the instructor:
Dan O’Connor is a painter and sculptor originally from Kentucky, currently based in the Camp Washington neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. He holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Cincinnati and an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where he collaborated closely with Scott Noel to sharpen his ability to observe—both paintings and the potential that the physical world holds for them.
For over a decade, Dan has taught painting and drawing at higher education institutions, including the University of Miami in Florida, Shawnee State University in Ohio, the University of Cincinnati, DAAP, and the Art Academy of Cincinnati. In that time, he has also expanded his field of study to include digital media, both to support his traditional work and as finished work. He is intrigued by the boundlessness of digital space and the peculiarities of individualized perception.
|
