FIGURE DRAWING
Instructor - Fernando Porras
A native Venezuelan, Porras has dedicated over twenty years to portraying the peoples of Amazonia, splitting his time between his studios in Paris and the United States and his work in the field among different tribes of Venezuela, Brazil, and Colombia.
Painting with oil on canvases that average six to seven feet, Porras studies how color, light, and the creative use of negative space have a unique effect when worked on large formats.
His work is represented in some of the most prominent galleries in Paris, New York, Miami, Beirut, and Caracas, and has been exhibited extensively throughout the world, with multiple exhibits in Barcelona, Basel, Beirut, Chicago, Dubai, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, Miami, Mumbai, New York, Palm Beach, Paris, and Singapore, among many others.
A collection of watercolors (www.portamagicae.com) - the result of a project which has taken him around the world for many years to create an illustrated children’s book series - is under preparation at the moment. Sketches done in the Andes, the Galapagos Islands, Rome, Istanbul, and many other locations have now become beautifully detailed watercolors that serve as inspiration for the books and support their creation.
FIGURE DRAWING FROM HEAD TO TOE
Build a stronger understanding of the human form in Figure Drawing: From Head to Toe with Fernando Porras. This progressive eight-week course combines anatomy fundamentals with practical drawing techniques, beginning with an introduction to materials, tools, and warm-up exercises. Explore proportion, line, light, and shadow while learning to create a sense of three-dimensional form and more dynamic compositions. Fernando will also address balance and offer practical guidance for approaching foreshortening challenges.
As the course progresses through different sections of the body, students will discuss and apply anatomy handouts, draw from examples and a live model during designated sessions, and receive personalized guidance. Regular critiques provide constructive feedback, while experimentation with different styles and media encourages technical growth and creative confidence. Each session builds on the last, developing a more complete understanding of the figure from head to toe.
Additional model fee: A total fee of $225 covers three model sessions and is divided among enrolled students. Your individual share is payable in cash at the first class and will depend on total enrollment.
Materials: Students bring their own drawing supplies. Please review the supply list before attending.
Materials / student supply list Students should bring:
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Drawing pad: Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Paper Pad recommended, 18 × 24 inches, 24 sheets.
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Sketching pad: Strathmore 400 Series Sketch Paper Pad recommended, 18 × 24 inches, 30 sheets.
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Drawing pencils: HB, B, 2B, 4B, and 6B. Faber-Castell recommended.
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One kneaded eraser: Faber-Castell recommended.
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One white eraser: Staedtler Mars Plastic recommended.
Instructional resources: Anatomy handouts will be discussed and applied during class. Art supplies are not included in tuition.