The second Open Drawing Session of the series “Inspired by the Masters” is dedicated to Mariya, a talented Circassian émigré’ model and photographer that lives in Normandy. In addition to creating beautiful artistic photos of nude, Mariya is a classically trained Opera singer.

The pose depicted in the reference photo we will be using during this 2:30 hour, online class, is Mariya’s take on the Birth of Venus.

The participants will receive a reference photo of Mariya to print and to use as reference during the drawing session.

We will be drawing this elegant, sinuous pose, inspired by the many depictions of Venus in Art, including the Venus Pudica and the Birth of Venus, using charcoal and chalk on toned paper, paying particular attention to the effects of the light on the forms of the body, practice  measuring the figure accurately and render it tonally.

Materials:

• Charcoal sticks in medium, soft and extra soft gradations. My favorite brand is Nitram, but you can use any charcoal brand you are used to. Do not use willow charcoal because it is too weak for our purposes.
• Compressed charcoal pencils in medium, soft and extra soft gradation, General’s is a very good and cheap brand.
• White chalk in pencils and-or sticks.
• Paper: Medium value, tan or gray toned paper such as Canson, Mi teintes, Fabriano, Hahnemuhle or Strathmore Charcoal toned.
• Kneaded eraser, pencil sharpener, sand paper,