In this lesson, Patrick explores how drawing serves as the foundation for his painting process. Focusing on his piece Valley of the Harpies, he demonstrates how structure, rhythm, and composition established in the drawing shape his choices in color, lighting, and narrative. You’ll learn how elements like chiaroscuro, texture, and edges are built upon initial gestures, with drawing guiding every brushstroke. By the end of this lesson, you’ll understand how to use drawing as a powerful tool to ensure that your painting retains energy and coherence.

This lesson belongs to Figure Drawing for Fantasy Art. In this 12-week course, renowned fantasy artist Patrick Jones will guide you through the essentials of fantasy figure drawing and its crucial role in his painting process. You will learn to capture dynamic gestures, simplify complex anatomy, and develop compelling characters that drive narrative art. Patrick will demonstrate how foundational drawing elements—structure, rhythm, and composition—directly influence his painting decisions, from color selection to lighting. Additionally, you’ll delve into bonus content on directing models for reference shoots, where Patrick shares his techniques for capturing emotion, action, and storytelling through live poses. By the end of this course, you’ll possess the skills to create powerful fantasy figures and bring them vividly to life.

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