Calgary Figure Drawing

Calgary Figure Drawing is a place for artist to find fine art model studios. CFD provides an environment facilitating drawing and painting from life.

CFD hosts open figure drawing sessions, instructed workshops and classes, as well as an online resource for community and information.

Open sessions:

Figure drawing sessions are based on a traditional style of long pose figure drawing atelier. The model is presented in the studio with all things considered to create an enjoyable and inspiring environment for all artists. Lighting, backdrops, poses and props are all used to their advantage. These sessions occur multiple times weekly and allow artists to independently practice, as well as discuss and critique in a community environment.

Workshops:

Workshops are 1 or 2 day intensive programs intended to introduce and develop understanding of core concepts related to drawing and painting from the live model.

Classes:

Classes are ongoing weekly sessions which allow for regular figure drawing and painting with instruction.

Mission:

Calgary figure drawing intends to provide a contemporary classical resource  for artists, students and hobbyists alike. We believe the best way of strengthening drawing, painting and sculpting skills is by working from the live model. The language of the pose, unity of structural pathways, effects of light and shadow, changes in value hue and chroma... These are all fundamental in the development of the artists ability to perceive, and translate their perception intelligently onto the canvas.

By reinforcing functional traditional concepts, one can create beautiful illusions of the human form in a wide range of media. Empowering the artist with key concepts and theories demystifies this process, and makes for an easy and calculated approach to drawing the figure.

About the Instructor

Geoffrey Klepeis is a Calgary born artist. Formally trained at the Alberta College of Art and Design, his passion for the traditional figurative arts led him to simultaneously study at Studio Escalier during the summers. Located in Argenton-Les-Valees, France, Studio Escalier is where the majority of his classical training took place. Geoffrey now operates a figure drawing studio in Calgary, and instructs workshops and classes at both his personal studio, and at the Calgary School of Arts.

Drawing Tips:

Starting a drawing:

Beginning the drawing is a vital step in which organization skill and foresight are relied upon.  Jumping immediately into detail is a common tendency, which will ultimately be misplaced and end up flattening the illusion. One of the benefits of long pose figure drawing is that the artist develops the ability to think clearly and globally.

Scholarships

The Calgary Figure Drawing Scholarship is available for week-end figure drawing sessions at Thames Close studio.

Applicants must be enrolled at a post-secondary institution, either majoring or minoring in an arts related program.