This workshop offers an immersion into the world of drawing from live models, in the heart of Venice—a city whose artistic history is intimately linked to the study of the human body, light, and movement.
From the Venetian Renaissance to contemporary art, the human body has been a central subject of exploration for artists. Through the observation of live models, this workshop invites participants to rediscover the tradition of drawing as a tool for study, as well as a space for interpretation and personal expression.
Over the course of three days, participants explore different ways of capturing a body in motion and understanding its structure, weight, balance, and rhythm. Short poses allow participants to work on spontaneity and speed of execution, while long poses provide time to delve deeper into anatomy, proportions, volumes, and light.
In the unique setting of Campus MaNa Venezia, this approach is enriched by a special focus on Venetian light and the city’s pictorial tradition. The goal is less about faithfully reproducing a model than about learning to see, select, and interpret: to find the energy of a posture in a few lines, the construction of a volume in a shadow, and the presence of a body in a gesture.
This course is designed for those who wish to consolidate the fundamentals of drawing from a live model while developing a freer, more sensitive, and more personal approach to the body and movement.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Observe and analyze the structure, proportions, and balance of the human body.
- Quickly capture a pose and convey movement through gesture and line.
- Experiment with different line qualities and drawing techniques.
- Understand the relationships between light, shadow, volume, and movement.
- Develop a practice of drawing from live models through short and long poses.
- Go beyond anatomical reproduction to develop a personal interpretation.
- Create a series of drawings centered on the nude, movement, and bodily expression.
- Enrich your personal practice through observation of the Venetian artistic tradition.
The training alternates between observing live models, demonstrations, technical exercises, and independent exploration. Particular attention is paid to movement, rhythm, and the ability to convey a posture with minimal effort.
Day 1: Observing and Understanding the Body
Morning
- Welcome and overview of the course.
- Introduction to drawing from a live model and its place in the history of the fine arts.
- References to the tradition of drawing and painting in Venice.
- Observation of the model: proportions, axes, masses, and balance.
- Initial exercises in quick poses to loosen up the hand.
Afternoon
- Study of the body’s main lines and anatomical structure.
- Construction exercises based on simple shapes.
- Work on the quality and direction of the line.
- Short poses: exploring movement, rhythm, and posture.
- Longer poses: in-depth study of a figure.
Day 2: Movement and Expression
Morning
- Study of the body in motion.
- Exercises in dynamic poses and quick sketches.
- Exploring center of gravity and balance.
- Work on rhythm, lines of action, and movement.
- Experimenting with different drawing tools and techniques.
Afternoon
- Movement suggested by the drawing.
- Breaking down and reconstructing a posture.
- Work on mass, volume, and shadows.
- Exploring light and its effect on the body.
- A series of drawings of the same model in different poses.
Day 3: From Observation to Interpretation
Morning
- Long poses: constructing and refining a figure.
- Work on proportions, volumes, and the interplay of light.
- Further exploration of the depiction of the body and space.
- Individual guidance and personal graphic exploration.
Afternoon
- Creation of a personal series of drawings.
- Exploring a unique graphic style for each participant.
- Connecting the various exercises completed during the workshop.
- Presentation and group analysis of the work.
- Review of the workshop and reflection on what was learned.
