Discover renowned figurative artist Laura Ross Paul’s approach to capturing the human figure with depth and emotion in a Hands-On Life Drawing Workshop. This special event will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Clatsop Community College Art Department. The workshop is open to the general public for $30 fee, and space is limited, so pre-registration on or before February 17 is required.
In describing her unique process, Ross Paul shares, “I have largely maintained a lifelong Life Drawing practice to support my Figurative/Narrative paintings. The approach I use is to develop the figure along with a hint of the background, no matter how short the pose. I look for a strong figure/ground relationship, even with the quickest drawings. To do this I rely heavily on value melts, (light in front of dark, dark in front of light, dark into dark, light into light); sharp edges, ( to depict something physical in front of the background); soft edges, (shadows rolling across skin); and compositional editing to engage the picture plane.
What You’ll Learn:
Laura Ross-Paul brings a lifelong dedication to life drawing and figurative narrative painting. In this workshop, participants will explore her unique approach to developing a strong figure/ground relationship using value melts (blending light and dark for visual depth), sharp edges to define forms, and soft edges to create effective transitions on the human figure. The focus will be on using light and dark values to create powerful compositions, a fundamental skill that opens the door to understanding color.
This workshop is perfect for artists of all levels who want to:
- Strengthen their ability to depict the figure in its environment.
- Learn to balance light and dark for dynamic and engaging compositions.
- Gain insights from an experienced figurative artist and educator with decades of experience.
Participants will leave with a deeper appreciation for how the figure interacts with its surroundings and the confidence to push their creative boundaries.
How to Pre-Register:
For more details and to pre-register, contact Kristin Shauck by phone at 503-338-2472 or via email at kshauck@clatsopcc.edu.
What to Bring:
- A slightly textured pad of newsprint.
- Soft vine charcoal and optional soft compressed charcoal for richer blacks.
- A good drawing eraser for subtractive techniques.
- Soft paper towels (Viva recommended) or cloth for blending.
- Optional: Heavier drawing paper for longer poses.
- If you are experienced with watercolor, bring ink instead to work exclusively in light and dark.