DRAWING CENTER STUDIO

Observational Drawing I
8-Week Course

Instructed by Manifest Artist in Residence, Ryan Kerr

Tuesdays, 6 - 9 PM
September 23 - November 11, 2025

[ REGISTER HERE ]

Description

Observational Drawing is all about learning to see—really see—and translate that visual experience onto the page with accuracy and clarity. This course introduces traditional, time-tested methods for drawing from life, giving you the tools to capture what’s in front of you with confidence. You’ll learn how to use sighting and measuring techniques to judge proportion and placement, how to apply one- and two-point perspective to create believable space, and how to draw more precisely by observing shape, angle, and alignment. Each class builds on the last, guiding you through a series of structured exercises that train both the hand and the eye. You’ll work from simple still life setups, interior spaces, and other real-world subjects, gradually building up the visual logic and spatial awareness that form the backbone of strong drawing. This course is ideal for beginners as well as those looking to refresh their fundamentals. Whether your goal is to move into figure drawing, painting, design, or just gain more control over your drawings, Observational Drawing offers a solid and reliable foundation—one that emphasizes careful seeing, deliberate mark-making, and a deep respect for the visual world around you.

This class will cover the following topics:

• Train your eye to see shapes, angles, and proportions more accurately.

• Learn classic techniques like sighting, measuring, and perspective.

• Build confidence by drawing from real life.

• Improve control, focus, and spatial awareness in your drawings

Materials List:  (link to printable PDF)

Tuition: $370


Class Size
Minimum: 5
Maximum: 12

No experience? No problem. Or, perhaps you're returning to art after a hiatus. Beginner-level courses are designed for individuals with little to no prior experience in making art.

Suggested Prerequisites: N/A

LOCATION: Unless otherwise specified, all courses are hosted at Manifest's new facility at 'M1' in Clifton at 3464 Central Parkway (see map and directions below). Manifest's new facility provides multiple studio classrooms, private lesson space, a darkroom, a film processing room, and a multi-purpose lecture and class meeting space as well as on-site parking, grounds, and exterior spaces in which to relax, discuss, and make art. The studios are outfitted with professional equipment, furniture, and study aids.

Map to Manifest's M1 Studios   |   Studio Calendar   |   Darkroom Calendar

Ryan Kerr is an experimental painter and dedicated art educator originally from Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his BFA from the University of Cincinnati in 2019, and during his undergraduate career, Ryan also served as an art editorial writer and received a scholarship for his figure drawing work at Manifest Drawing Center. Ryan’s creative journey has taken him across disciplines and the country, from teaching in Cincinnati’s public high schools to working as a professional screen printer, art handler, and art restorer in Dallas, Texas. His commitment to artistic growth led him to attend the highly regarded Mount Gretna School of Art in both 2018 and 2023.

His artwork has been exhibited in New York City at The Bowery Gallery and Susan Eley Fine Art, and his passion for challenge and endurance culminated in a 2022 thru-hike of the entire Appalachian Trail. Now based in Cincinnati, Ryan continues to work as an art restorer and recently completed his Master of Fine Arts in painting from Miami University, further deepening his studio practice and expanding his impact as a creative professional.