The Big Art Course: Figure Drawing with Riven Phoenix Course Syllabus

A comprehensive and anatomy-focused course that teaches you to draw realistic human figures with structure, style, and confidence. This course is structured to take beginners from foundational concepts to complete figure drawings through a step-by-step approach grounded in human anatomy and form. With over 5 hours of focused content, students will build essential skills in gesture, proportion, skeletal and muscular anatomy, facial features, and rendering volume with light and shadow. Designed for both traditional and digital artists, the course emphasizes drawing from the inside out, ensuring long-term growth and confidence in figure drawing. Lifetime access allows for self-paced learning and repeated practice.

Module 1: Introduction to Figure Drawing

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Overview of the figure drawing process and course structure
• Essential materials and tools for learning
• Developing the right mindset for observational drawing

Module 2: Gesture Drawing & Rhythm

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Capturing movement and energy with quick sketches
• Drawing fluid, expressive poses with confidence
• Using rhythm lines to convey motion and flow
• Building a foundation for dynamic figure composition

Module 3: Proportion & Structure

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Classic figure proportions using head counts
• Identifying key anatomical landmarks
• Breaking down the body into simple 3D forms
• Constructing the figure with geometric accuracy

Module 4: Skeletal System Deep Dive

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Learning bone landmarks and their influence on surface form
• Drawing the skull, ribcage, pelvis, and spine
• Understanding joint structure and limb alignment
• Using the skeleton as the foundation for accurate drawing

Module 5: Muscle Anatomy & Surface Forms

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Understanding major muscle groups and their functions
• Mapping muscles on the arms, legs, torso, and back
• Observing how muscles change with motion
• Drawing surface forms to convey anatomical accuracy

Module 6: Drawing the Head, Hands & Feet

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Facial proportions and expressive features
• Constructing the head in 3D space
• Breaking down hands and feet into manageable forms
• Drawing hands and feet from multiple perspectives

Module 7: Shading, Light & Volume

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Applying light logic to figure drawings
• Rendering form shadows and highlights
• Using cross-contour lines to enhance depth
• Building volume through value and shading techniques

Module 8: Long Poses & Finished Figures

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Creating complete figure drawings using reference
• Integrating anatomy, gesture, and proportion
• Developing a consistent figure drawing routine
• Building a portfolio of finished studies

Prerequisites

• Basic drawing experience or familiarity with pencil and paper
• Access to drawing materials such as sketchbook and graphite
• Willingness to practice and study from observation

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Master human anatomy and proportion for realistic figure drawing
• Draw dynamic poses using gesture, rhythm, and structural techniques
• Understand the skeletal and muscular systems and how they affect form
• Apply shading, lighting, and volume to create believable depth
• Build confidence in drawing the human figure from imagination and reference