In this workshop, students learn to draw descriptive, simple figures that can be drawn quickly and clearly. We then address figure composition as used in contemporary animation, game design, graphic novels, children’s books, storyboarding and figurative painting. I address rapid figure drawing, figure drawing in perspective, figure grouping, narrative storytelling in pictures and how to incorporate figures into environments. In addition I address the role of both character archetypes and the importance of cast groupings in movies, painting, and in storytelling generally.

All of my Carbon Black Academy workshops incorporate lectures, presentations, numerous handouts and lots of individual help when drawing in the classroom and on location.

Supplies, This is a sketching class, I recommend:
- iPad & Apple Pencil 

OR:

- 6 black Prismacolor pencils, black progresso pencils, or black Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils. You will go through pencils, so at least 6.
- 1 pencil sharpener with a catch basin for shavings. I recommend one of the battery operated electric sharpeners from Amazon. I do not recommend hand shaving pencils with utility knives for this class. It’s good for some things, primarily life drawing, but it’s slow and wastes pencils.
- 2 cool gray 10% markers for planning. Coptic markers cost a bit more, but you can get 1 marker and a refill that contains a lot of marker fluid. Don’t skip the markers. I’ve seen students get great results with these.
- 1 white paper sketchbook without much texture. Marker pads are generally very good. We all draw at somewhat different sizes. I recommend a 9 X12” pad at the smallest and 14 X 17” at the largest.
- 1 drawing board. I have a good hack here. Get a Masonite painting surface used for acrylic or oil painting at the art store. It’s cheap and works very well. Get one that’s slightly bigger than your pad - an inch or two all around.
- Optional: a portable drawing stool with a back on it. You want to be able to lean back and relax. These are easy to find in camping stores or on Amazon.