An Introduction to Figure Drawing
Instructed by Scott Ramming
Saturdays, 10 - 1 PM
September 20 - November 15, 2025
(No Class October 18)
Registration Deadline: September 17
[ *** REGISTER HERE *** ]
Description
The human figure is one of the most challenging—and rewarding—subjects in all of art. Introduction to Figure Drawing is designed for students who are new to drawing the figure or looking to strengthen their understanding of the fundamentals. Working from a live model, you’ll learn practical strategies for capturing the body’s proportions, structure, and gesture with clarity and confidence. Through guided exercises, you’ll explore how to break down complex forms into simpler shapes, how to measure relationships across the figure, and how to draw what you actually see rather than what you assume. You’ll be introduced to gesture drawing, and composition, while also learning how to use line, value, and edge to bring your drawings to life. This course is approachable, but rooted in serious skill development—it’s not about stylization or shortcuts, but about learning to see the figure with accuracy. Whether your interest lies in fine art, illustration, animation, or just improving your drawing, this course lays a strong foundation for working with the human form.
This class will cover the following topics:
• Gesture Drawing as a way of Exploring Posture, Balance, Form, and Energy
• Contour Drawing and Line Weight
• Proportions - A Simplified Approach and General Canon
• Perceptual Tools: Measuring and Angling
• Composing the Picture Plane with the Figure
• Understanding value and figure/space relationships
Tuition: $370
Class Size
Minimum: 5
Maximum: 12
Materials List: (link to printable PDF)
Level of Study: Beginner
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. These courses introduce foundational skills such as composition, value, color theory, and basic techniques in painting, drawing, and photography. These courses focus on building confidence, developing observational skills, and encouraging creative exploration. They are ideal for anyone curious about art—whether you're picking up a pencil for the first time, returning after a long break, or simply looking for a structured, supportive environment to begin your creative journey.
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
|
Degas
Pontormo
About the instructor:
Scott Ramming is an artist living and producing work in the Madisonville neighborhood of Cincinnati. He received his BFA from Middle Tennessee State University and has taught painting at Mount Gretna School of Art.
Within the Manifest ecosystem, Scott has served as a moderator for the Drawing Center’s Open Figure sessions for over eleven years and has shown at Manifest Gallery several times, including a solo exhibition in 2021.
With a background in painting and drawing, he works from observation and imagination, utilizing the figure, landscapes, and still life. His practice is rooted in gestural intuition while maintaining a dialog with art history.
|
