The 5-minute Pose: Setting yourself up for success in figure drawing
When drawing from life, most key decisions happen in the first five minutes. How do we begin in a way that captures the freshness and energy of the pose—and sustain that momentum as we build?
In this 9-week class, we focus on those crucial first minutes. Working from the live model, you’ll learn a clear, intuitive approach to quickly and effectively lay in the figure, capturing action before it stiffens into a pose. We’ll develop strategies to sharpen decision-making and distinguish the essential from the inessential. The 5-minute drawing becomes both a complete work and a strong foundation for longer poses. Classes include demonstrations, lectures, live model drawing, and individual feedback. All levels welcome.
Topics include:
- lay-in and proportional systems
- key landmarks
- gesture and line of action
- figure construction and rhythm dynamic anatomy
- line quality light logic and 2-value structure
Required Supplies
- 18 x 24” Drawing Board *
- Kneaded Eraser *
- Hard Eraser
- Utility Knife or X-Acto knife (for sharpening pencils) *
- Paper (choose one)
- If unsure, the Sketch Paper is a good and relatively inexpensive all-around workhorse paper.
- Newsprint 18” x 24” pad (cheap, non-archival, great for building up mileage and for studies in general),
- Sketch Paper 18” x 24” pad (archival, relatively inexpensive, good all-around paper)
- Drawing Paper 18” x 24” pad (archival, more expensive and more durable - good for longer poses, and for a more intensive tonal approach)
- Pencil (bring a selection)
- Charcoal Pencils ++ (2B or 4B) – works with any paper choice above (General’s and Ritmos are good brands)
- Charcoal Pencils (2B or 4B) – works with either paper choice above (General’s and Ritmos are good brands)
- Conte Pierre Noire pencils (2B) are also a good option
- Conté Crayon sticks ++ (earth tones, black, and white) - works with any paper above
- Pastel Pencils ++ – also works with any paper choice above (Stabillo Carbothello, Conte, or Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel are good brands – pick a neutral or earth-color hue; avoid overly saturated, bright, or light colors)
- Wax-based color pencils – works best with Sketch or Drawing Paper Paper
- Progresso Woodless Colored Pencils
- Faber-Castell Polychromos and Primacolor Premier are good brands – pick a neutral or earth-color hue; avoid overly saturated, bright, or light colors
Brenno Kenji
Brenno Kenji has been teaching figure drawing for over 12 years. He has studied under Steve Huston, Karl Gnass, Glenn Vilppu, Kevin Chen, and the late...