Osher Figure Drawing Class with Model Shannon

We had a fantastic class Friday, inspired by model Shannon.  We began with 3-minute gesture poses.

Shannon picked up a badminton racquet and put it to good use, creating poses full of motion.

In preparation for our last two poses, I had invited my students to prepare two pieces of drawing paper with several layers of vine charcoal to create a midtone. 

We began with a 15-minute back study.  

My students & I worked quickly to capture Shannon's musculature.  We sketched in a gesture, lifted out highlights with a kneaded eraser, and added in darker values with vine charcoal.

I've always felt that trying different methods of drawing the figure helps us to explore and stay fresh.  Each technique and medium has its own magic, and its own lessons to teach us.

We finished up with an hour-long pose (first photo in the post).

Many thanks to model Shannon for bringing us her strength and beautiful poses!