Intro to Drawing the Figure from Life in Charcoal

Instructor: Zack Murray

Explore the art of figure drawing through the expressive medium of charcoal. This course provides hands-on instruction in gesture, proportion, form, and value—ideal for beginners and artists looking to refine their observational skills. Students will work from live models using a variety of charcoal tools and paper types, developing both short and extended drawings.

Course Materials

Each student is required to bring the following materials:

  1. Charcoal Pencils

    • General’s Charcoal Pencils: 2B and 6B soft
    • 1 of each per student

  2. Vine Charcoal Sticks

    • Soft vine charcoal, any brand
    • 1 large stick + a few small sticks per student

  3. Compressed Charcoal Sticks

    • General’s 957ABP Compressed Charcoal, 4-pack (black, soft assorted)

  4. Newsprint Paper Pad

    • Size: 18” x 24”, any brand
    • Used for gesture drawings and short poses (under 10 minutes)
    • 10 sheets per student

  5. Drawing Paper Pad

    • Strathmore 400 Series, 400-8, ivory/cream, medium
    • 7–8 sheets per student

  6. Erasers

    • Prismacolor Magic Rub
    • Grey gum eraser
    • 1 of each per student

  7. Blending Stump

    • 1 per student

Questions?

Please reach out prior to the first class with any questions about the materials or substitutions.