In this lesson, instructor Joseph Todorovich will introduce you to the prepping process of a long-pose figure painting. You will learn the importance of taking your time to create value and color studies. Joseph will demonstrate how to work with the model to achieve a realistic pose to hold for long periods yet still contains excellent rhythms. Then, you will watch Joseph create a value study from life. In the end, he will show you several examples of color studies, which you will be practicing in other lessons.

This lesson belongs to the course Long-Pose Figure Painting. In this 10-week course, Joseph will teach you his complete process of making long-pose figure paintings – from initial ideas and exploration, to making studies, to the final painting. You will learn how to direct and work with professional models to achieve a suitable pose. Then, you will practice creating value and color studies as the two prepping steps for a painting. Afterward, Joseph will take you through his decision-making process while painting the models from life on large-scale canvases. Since this course was filmed during a live workshop, you will get the chance to tune in to his critiques of students’ works and assignments. After this course, you will have established a skillset for figure painting and strengthened your design sensibility, which will help you create impactful figure paintings of your own.

Throughout this course, you’ll have access to the NMA community for feedback and critiques to improve your work as you progress.