Master a clear, approachable workflow used by professional artists to draw the human figure with confidence. This 12-week foundational course breaks down life drawing into structured, step-by-step stages—moving from quick gesture studies to anatomical construction, dynamic perspective, and expressive visual storytelling.

Working directly from live models, you will overcome common beginner pitfalls and learn how to break down complex structures like the torso, head, hands, and feet into simple forms. Build your skills from fast gesture warmups all the way to 2-hour long pose studies, pastel colour exploration, and character design translation in a supportive studio environment.

About Your Instructors

Jeff Collins is an animator, artist and educator who has made a career out of drawing the same character over and over again until it starts moving. Animation is a perfectly normal profession.

Learn more about Jeff

Emily Steckly is an animator, tattoo artist, educator and skateboarder who likes bold work, good stories and projects with a lot of momentum behind them.

Learn more about Emily

Course Rundown

Week 1: Learning to See

Break down the biggest mistakes beginners make and learn a structured life drawing workflow. Practice timed gesture exercises and quick poses to capture movement and energy instead of getting lost in details.

Week 2: Building the Figure

Demystify torso anatomy by reducing the body into simple, easy-to-understand shapes and forms. Combine torso studies with gesture warmups to build structural drawing confidence.

Week 3: Drawing the Head

Learn simple methods for constructing the skull, mapping facial proportions, and understanding facial planes. Practice capturing expressive portrait studies and features.

Week 4: Hands Without Fear

Break down one of the most avoided subjects in figure drawing. Learn simple forms, proportions, and gestures to make hands a confident part of your drawing toolkit.

Week 5: Understanding the Feet

Explore the anatomy and structure of the feet. Practice breaking them down into simple forms and proportions while reinforcing gesture and observational skills.

Week 6: Finding the Line of Action

Discover how professional animators use the Line of Action and visual flow to create dynamic, energetic poses that feel alive, exploring action gestures and expressive movement.

Week 7: Storytelling Through Pose

Move beyond simply copying the model to tell visual stories. Practice pushing sequential poses from live models to convey emotion, intention, and narrative.

Week 8: Dynamic Perspective

Learn why some drawings feel flat while others leap off the page. Practice foreshortening, exaggerated perspective, and weight using triangles and cones to create figures with real presence.

Week 9: Long Pose Foundations

Transition from fast gestures to extended observation. Learn measuring techniques, plum lines, and grid construction to maintain accuracy during a 2-hour long pose study.

Week 10: Colour, Mood & Expression

Experiment with pastels and expressive colour theory to explore emotion, atmosphere, and personality beyond standard anatomical studies.

Week 11: From Life to Character Design

Bring your favorite character to class! Use live model poses as the foundation for drawing existing characters while maintaining solid underlying anatomy and gesture.

Week 12: The Character Challenge

Celebrate your progress with a fun studio challenge. Draw random story prompts, character expressions, and dynamic poses to showcase how far your drawing skills have advanced.

By The End Of This Course, You Will:

• Master a professional, step-by-step workflow for drawing the human figure from life.
• Break down complex anatomy (torso, head, hands, feet) into simple geometric forms.
• Use the Line of Action, gesture, and foreshortening to capture dynamic movement and weight.
• Apply measuring techniques, plum lines, and grid systems for accurate long-pose studies.
• Utilize colour theory and pastels to add mood, atmosphere, and emotional expression.
• Translate live model poses into original character designs and visual storytelling.

What To Bring & Requirements

• Drawing Paper: Newsprint pad or drawing paper sketchbook (A3 or A2 size recommended).
• Drawing Tools: Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B), charcoal sticks/pencils, and an eraser.
• Colour Medium: A basic set of soft pastels or pastel pencils for Week 10.
• Level: All levels welcome—no prior life drawing experience required.

Event Details

• Location: Urban Art Collective Art Hub, 50 Bayswater Avenue, Ottawa
• Instructors: Jeff Collins & Emily Steckly
• Level: All Levels
• Maximum Capacity: 12 students
• Minimum Enrolment: 6 students required