In this lesson, you explore the concept of allegory through the “Seduction of Perseus” pose, with Patrick demonstrating the technical nuances of sharpening charcoal pencils. He introduces the “internal art engine,” focusing on the mileage and fundamentals of drawing, and the “external art engine” to evaluate and refine your work. You’ll learn how to analyze and post-analyze references using the “What’s Wrong With This Photo” (WWWTP) method. By the end of this lesson, you’ll apply these principles to begin and refine the final drawing of Amanda, progressing through stages of lay-in and rendering while bringing depth and shadows into your figure 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.