Vilppu Academy

Figure Drawing 1

$900.00

Starting May 8, 2023

This online course is developed from the Basic Figure Drawing course that I teach world wide and is the basis for the Vilppu Drawing Manual. This course consists not only of my video lectures, but also includes lectures using the tablet computer as I do in my regular classes. Figure Drawing 1 focuses on the gesture, using simple volumes consistent with traditional figure construction as a means of communicating and analyzing the gesture as well as the fundamentals of rendering form with tone and line.

Figure Drawing One Class Outline

Week 1
Gesture, capturing the action of the figure, the soul of your drawing. This is the first step in your drawing and gives direction to everything that follows. This lesson will show several different approaches to starting your drawing and analyzing the action.

Week 2
Spherical forms, the basic containment of forms, and foundation of 3D drawing. This lesson explains and applies the use of the spherical forms with examples from the past to today.

Week 3
Box Forms, the clarification of the 3D gesture as well as placement of forms spatially. The box is the primary element of both analysis and description of forms in real space as well as a fundamental element of perspective.

Week 4
Combining Spheres and Boxes.In this lesson the focus is upon how forms react with each other to give a sense of the “real”, the bringing your drawing to life. The analysis of reality applied to drawing.

Week 5
Cylinders - cross rendering. The combining of forms and the contours going over and around the form as a traditional tool of description.

Week 6
Bringing the figures to life, squash and stretch, Continuing the analysis of interaction started in Week 4, we focus upon how forms function in showing the gesture, by focusing upon opposites as they help to clarify and describe the action.

Week 7
Basic anatomical landmarks and proportions. An in depth explanation of proportions and their us as landmarks in analyzing action as well in creating anatoomically correct drawings.

Week 8
The Modeling tone as the primary means of rendering form. The introduction of specific means of rendering form using the modeling tone, combing many of the elements discussed in earlier lessons.

Week 9
Furthering the development and use of the modeling tone in the description and analysis of form with examples both modern and historical.

Week 10
Direct light, this lecture is some times referred to as the laws of light. The fundamental elements of direct light are approached as tools that can be manipulated to not only describe form, but as tools of expression.

Recommendation

As a professional illustrator and passionate artist I highly recommend studying with Glenn. Choose the subject which is most interesting to you and start from there. Over the years I have attended Figure Drawing One and Two, Composition One and Two, Head Drawing, Head Painting and Anatomy. Some of these several times. All of Glenn’s lessons and critiques helped me to improve my drawing and painting skills with the tools he provides. His videocritiques with comments and recommendations are very important for me to improve my skills.
After almost ten years of studying with Glenn my toolbox of Vilppu drawing tools (which I use without rules) is still growing and I cherish every part of it. I use what I have learned every day and it is a pleasure to have it because I love to draw from imagination.
Glenn's courses have helped improve my drawing skills in many ways. I have achieved goals that I dreamed of and there are more on my list which I can tackle with my improved skills. Thank you Glenn.

The most important art class

This class concisely covers the fundamental steps to not only draw the figure, but how to look at and study everything in the visual arts with a new light.

The BEST foundational figure drawing instruction

Glenn's unmatched knowledge and guidance has been such a gift to me as I have pursued my work as a figurative artist. This foundational course is one worth taking over and over again as your career expands (I've taken it several times!) It's an investment that you will cherish for your whole life - take advantage of studying with a modern master!

Gold standard of figure drawing

There's no better gold standard of figure drawing training available to the student today than Glenn Vilppu and his figure drawing 1 class. As far as anybody should be concerned, this is THE place to learn how to draw the figure. I have taken the class multiple times for how rich and deep the material is. I will forever owe a debt to Glenn and his work. If you have your doubts, I implore you to take the chance. You won't regret it.

Fundamental Art Lesson Every Professional Needs to Take

This class is mandatory for any professional looking to work in the industry today. The Glenn Vilppu Drawing Manual was suggested to me by many fellow professional artists. Once I read it a few times and tried to really absorb the lessons, I took Glenn's course. This course is so fundamental and important I have taken it three or four times. This class teaches you the nuts and bolts of expressive figure drawing. It provides the essential tools of the professional artist of any medium. Its what will build a solid foundation for years to come. To this day after studying seriously for 10+ years I still refer back to some of the lectures and the Drawing Manual is always next to me on my desk while I work. Ask around and any serious artist knows who Glenn is and knows this course. This course is such a vital piece of the art world today that I hope to carry on its lessons and spread as much of its information as I can. Glenn is a treasure trove of unbelievable information and you will be a different artist after completing this course. I am, every time I have finished it.