{"id":38789,"date":"2022-09-26T13:33:44","date_gmt":"2022-09-26T13:33:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=38789"},"modified":"2026-04-03T14:35:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T14:35:53","slug":"figure-drawing-with-charcoal","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/figure-drawing-with-charcoal","title":{"rendered":"Figure Drawing with Charcoal"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1>Figure Drawing with Charcoal<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"coursetitledes\"><span>CLASS<\/span><i class=\"far fa-chart-bar\" style=\"margin-left:10px; margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Intermediate<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"insertbackground\">\n<div class=\"removep\">\n<div class=\"videoflexwrapper\">\n<div class=\"videotop\">\n <iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/962373288?h=d62ee60868\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebartop\">\n<div class=\"vertalign\">\n<div class=\"logoimage\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/logosmall75.png\"><\/div>\n<p>\n    <div class=\"sidebarcarddescriptiondark\">\n<span>JOIN THE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR<\/span><br>\n    Get ALL of our courses, ebooks, live lessons, critiques, lesson plans and more today.\n<\/div>\n    <\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebarbuttonholder\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttonsmem\">START FREE TRIAL<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"margin-top:1.5em;\">or<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/register-ll-charcoal-figure\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttons\">BUY CLASS $57<\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperkscontainer\">\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><span>This lesson series features:<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"far fa-clock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>6 Hours of Instruction<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-film\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>6 Videos<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p>\n\n<div class=\"contentfix\">\n<div class=\"favorites\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tabs\">\n<p> <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-1\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-1\" class=\"label\">Lessons <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lessons<\/h2>\n\n<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"curriculumcontainer\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 1: (1:04:06)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 2: (1:14:15)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 3: (1:09:48)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 4: (1:04:43)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 5: (1:08:15)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 6: (1:10:35)<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-2\" checked=\"checked\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-2\" class=\"label\">About <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>About This Lesson Series...<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe <em>Figure Drawing with Charcoal<\/em> class is a focused and practical lesson designed to develop your skills in capturing the human form using charcoal. This class emphasizes observation, proportion, gesture, and value, helping artists create dynamic and expressive figure drawings. Through step-by-step demonstrations, you\u2019ll learn how to work with charcoal to convey depth, movement, and structure effectively.\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/charcoal-figure-drawing.jpg\" alt=\"Figure Drawing with Charcoal\"><\/p>\n<h2>Understanding Gesture and Movement<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe lesson begins with an exploration of gesture drawing, which captures the energy and flow of the figure. You\u2019ll learn techniques to quickly establish the pose, direction, and balance of the body. This stage emphasizes looseness and rhythm, ensuring that the drawing conveys life and movement rather than appearing stiff or static.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Establishing Proportion and Anatomy<\/h2>\n<p>\nNext, the class focuses on building accurate proportions and understanding basic anatomy. You\u2019ll learn how to measure and compare parts of the body to maintain correct scale and balance. The instructor demonstrates how to simplify complex anatomical forms into basic shapes, allowing you to structure the figure confidently before adding details.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Working with Charcoal for Value<\/h2>\n<p>\nCharcoal is a versatile medium for creating strong contrasts and subtle transitions. This lesson shows how to use different types of charcoal\u2014vine, compressed, and pencils\u2014to build layers of value. You\u2019ll learn how to create highlights, midtones, and deep shadows, giving your figure drawing depth and a three-dimensional quality.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Rendering Form and Depth<\/h2>\n<p>\nA major focus of the class is rendering the figure\u2019s form realistically. You\u2019ll discover techniques for shading curves and planes of the body, emphasizing volume and structure. By observing light and shadow carefully, you\u2019ll learn how to define muscles, contours, and posture while maintaining a natural, expressive look.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Refining Details and Finishing Touches<\/h2>\n<p>\nAs the drawing progresses, attention shifts to refining details such as hands, facial features, and subtle anatomical nuances. The class teaches how to balance precision with expressive marks, ensuring that the figure remains dynamic and alive. Final touches involve enhancing contrast, softening edges, and unifying the composition for a polished, finished drawing.\n<\/p>\n<h2>A Comprehensive Figure Drawing Experience<\/h2>\n<p>\nBy the end of the <em>Figure Drawing with Charcoal<\/em> class, you will have completed a full figure drawing while gaining essential skills in gesture, proportion, value, and shading. This lesson equips you with techniques that can be applied to a wide range of subjects and media, making it an excellent resource for artists seeking to improve their understanding of the human form and their overall drawing abilities.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Specific Lessons<\/h2>\n<h3>Lesson 1 (1:04:06) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson one, we tone the paper and begin the contour line drawing using the aid of a grid.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 2 (1:14:15) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson two, we begin work on some of the details of the drawing including the face.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 3 (1:09:48) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson three, we develop the folds of the shirt.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 4 (1:04:43) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson four, we work on clarifying some of the objects on the table.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 5 (1:08:15) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson five, we develop the details found on the objects on the table.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 6 (1:10:35) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson six, we complete the drawing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-3\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-3\" class=\"label\">Resources <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Resources for this Lesson...<\/h2>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-exclamation-triangle\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Distributing any content downloaded from this site is strictly prohibited and against the terms and conditions of use.<\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n<h4>References<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Photo Reference<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Finished Result<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-4\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-4\" class=\"label\">Materials <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:10px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Here's what you'll need...<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Vine Charcoal<\/li>\n<li>Compressed Charcoal (Pencil)<\/li>\n<li>Blending Stumps<\/li>\n<li>Erasers<\/li>\n<li>White Drawing Paper<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>(Disclosure: Links to art materials are affiliate links which means we make a small commission if you purchase at no additional cost to you.)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbottom\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Your Instructor<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructor\">\n<div class=\"instructorimage\">\n<div class=\"instructorpic\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ashley-hurst.png\" alt=\"Ashley Hurst - Instructor\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"instructorname\">Ashley Hurst<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructordes\">\n<p>Expert teacher and visual artist. Ashley is encouraging and makes creating art easy to understand.<\/p>\n<p><div style=\"padding-top:10px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/author\/ahurst\">Learn more about Ashley<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relatedcoursescontainer\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Related Courses and Classes<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/mastering-metal-with-graphite-and-white-charcoal\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Mastering Metal<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Mastering-Metal-Graphite-White-Charcoal.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-charcoal-drawing-course\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>The Charcoal Drawing Course<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Charcoal-Drawing-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/portrait-with-charcoal-old-man\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Portrait Drawing with Charcoal<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Portrait-Drawing-with-Charcoal-400.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><script>\nfunction myFunction(x) {\n  if (x.matches) { \/\/ If media query matches\n    radiobtn 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This class emphasizes observation, proportion, gesture, and value, helping artists create dynamic and expressive figure drawings. Through step-by-step demonstrations, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"paget-iframe.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38789","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38789","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38789"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38789\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46176,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38789\/revisions\/46176"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38789"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}