Charcoal Figure Sketching: Deconstructing the Body & Capturing the Essence

Highlights

This course is designed to guide students through the art of charcoal figure sketching, covering comprehensive techniques from structural analysis to capturing dynamic essence. Students will learn how to observe and simplify the human form, understand geometric structures and proportions, and utilize charcoal lines, planes, and blending techniques to create lifelike figure portraits. Whether using photographic references or drawing from live models, the curriculum emphasizes observational training and personal expression.

Program Curriculum

The 8-session course progresses systematically:

• Fundamentals & Structure: Explore natural and compressed charcoal, learn standard human proportions (head-length units), and geometric abstraction.
• Charcoal Techniques: Master the 'light, mid-tone, dark' areas using blending and erasers to sculpt 3D volume.
• Detailing: Analyze hand and foot structures, and learn to depict fabric folds and textural cues.
• Practical Integration: Combine compositional skills with light-shadow contrast, practicing timing with live models (2-minute gesture, 10-minute tone, 30-minute study).

Ticketing & Registration

• Dates: 2026-09-09 to 2026-11-18 (Every Wednesday, 8 sessions total; Breaks: Oct 21, Oct 28, and Nov 4)
• Time: 19:00 - 21:30
• Venue: 15/F, Hong Kong Arts Centre
• Language: Cantonese (technical terms supplemented with English)
• Fee: HKD 3,290 (includes model fee)
• Discounts: Various discounts available, including group bookings, former students, Hong Kong Arts Centre Ambassadors, and alumni.

Instructor

The course is led by instructor Li Chau-ming, who brings professional visual arts experience to guide students in exploring the beauty of the human form through charcoal.