The Gorgon Betrayed – Foreshortening, Anatomy, and Emotional Depth

In this lesson, Patrick takes on the complex “Gorgon Betrayed” pose, focusing on foreshortening and the anatomical challenges of the figure. Through detailed analysis of the model’s pose, he discusses how agony and revenge can shape the narrative and emotion of a drawing. You’ll explore advanced techniques such as pronation of the hand, rendering, and molding light and shadow to create depth. By the end of this lesson, you’ll have a deeper understanding of capturing emotional intensity and dynamic anatomy while avoiding over-detailing, especially in digital work.

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.