June 29-July 2, 2026

The Figure: Drawing into Watercolor

at Castle Hill Center for the Arts at Truro 

This class explores the human form with charcoal, graphite, and watercolor with the nude model. We begin with contour drawings, gesture exercises, and direct brush paintings, progressing to ‘mapping’ out the figure with graphite before laying in watercolor washes. We’ll work to find both the solidity and dynamism of each pose.  With watercolor, we’ll begin working monochromatically, then explore simple color mixes based on color temperature. A variety of exercises including brush handling, exploring negative space, and developing value to color, will strengthen our figure paintings. Poses will mainly range from 5 minutes to 20 min often beginning with quick gesture drawings. By the end of the week we may work with several longer poses. We’ll work both in studio with the nude and draped figure and outside with the clothed figure for variety, if weather allows. Supportive group critique/discussions during and/or at the end of each class aim to inspire, encourage, and challenge students to meet their individual goals.