Community Arts Courses

Figure Drawing Course ~ Fall 2023

Instructor:  Vicki Ramsay

At the heart of figure drawing is reverence for the human body. This beginner-level course invites students to draw precisely what they observe. We will practice eye-hand techniques such as gesture and contour drawing.  Our work will stem from basic principles of proportion and perspective. Students will draw from live models, using conté crayon and graphite as tools. We will begin with understanding quality of line and work toward capturing light and shadow. Our goal is to create drawings that feel complete and balanced: grounded, proportionate, and full of life. The class is open to anyone 18 and older. 

This is an intergenerational Community Education offering of Thoreau College, bringing together students and fellows of Thoreau College with members of our wider community.

Figure Drawing

Course Dates:

6:30-8:30 PM – Monday evenings – 9/18, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13 (7 sessions)

Location:

Landmark Center, Room 207 – 500 E Jefferson St. Viroqua

Cost:

Sliding Scale – $140 ~ $120 ~ $100

Materials:

Materials are available for an additional $40.  The kit supplied includes:

  • One small set of 4 conté crayons (sepia, umber, white, black)
  • Graded set of graphite pencils from 4H to 4B (at least 5)
  • Kneaded eraser
  • white polymer eraser
  • small, handheld pencil sharpener
  • 18 x24″ newsprint pad
  • 18 x 24″ drawing pad

Registration for this course is now closed.

ABOUT VICKI RAMSAY~

Vicki Ramsay is an outdoor & environmental educator in summers and a high school science, math & art teacher throughout the school year. She has been teaching at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, at Youth Initiative High School, and at the Driftless Folk School for the last 16 years. She was a life drawing student under Robert Schulz in Madison, WI and did coursework in biological illustration with a variety of instructors. She lives in Viroqua and has 2 sons, ages 21 and 14.

Vicki Ramsay