The body in focus

Over the course of five weeks, online course participants learn the art of life drawing through a series of short and long poses with a range of professional life models. Enhanced by artist Adele and our state-of the-art digital resources, each week of this life drawing course focuses on a different part of the body, allowing participants a close examination of the human body and its anatomy.

Figure drawing has been integral to traditional artistic practice since the Renaissance. In addition to full-bodied figure drawing, artists like Albrecht Dürer, George Frederic Watts RA, and Paula Modersohn-Becker have perfected their understanding of the human body through drawing studies of different body parts, from legs, to hands, to heads.

From ancient to modern, various art historical contexts for figure drawing will be examined throughout the course, and each week a simple take-away challenge or learning activity will be set to support and expand the following week’s activities. Every session includes an interactive feedback session with Adele using online art sharing platform, Padlet, as well as smaller group critiques. Materials are not provided, but participants will receive a recommended materials list with a range of materials in mind.

Week 1: Introduction to life drawing and the body, focus on the torso

Week 2: Anatomy of the head, neck, and shoulders

Week 3: Upper limbs - arms and hands

Week 4: Lower limbs - legs and feet

Week 5: Putting the full figure back in focus

Adele Wagstaff has been shortlisted for the Jerwood Drawing Prize and the BP Portrait Award, and her work has been exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery, Royal West of England Academy and the Canadian Portrait Academy. Following her graduation from the Slade School of Art, where she focused on working from the nude in sustained poses, her practice continues to look at the human figure and still life.

Minimum age 18. If you have any accessibility needs, please contact public.programmes@royalacademy.org.uk.