Dynamic Figure Sketching (2023) by Peter Han

An 8-week course that teaches you to build dynamic, expressive figure sketches by combining loose gesture with solid volumetric forms. You’ll learn directly from the techniques used by Disney’s legendary animators, focusing on performance, exaggeration, and solid drawing.

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Apply the 12 Animation Principles to your figure sketching.
• Use simple volumetric forms (boxes, spheres, cylinders) to construct a solid, three-dimensional figure.
• Exaggerate gesture and pose to create more dynamic and interesting sketches.
• Develop a “kinesthetic sense” to feel the pose in your own body.
• Sketch drapery and props in a loose, dynamic way that tells a story.

✅ Requirements

• Skills: Some previous experience with sketching the human figure and understanding general structure and proportions.
• Tools: General drawing software (like Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint) or basic traditional drawing materials (pencil, paper).
• Hardware: A drawing tablet is recommended for digital work.

📝 Description

This isn’t your typical figure drawing class. Forget stiff, academic poses. This course is about capturing the performance of the figure. You’ll learn to see the pose not as a static shape, but as a moment of action, full of energy and intent.

The secret sauce? The 12 Animation Principles. Developed by Disney’s “Nine Old Men,” these principles are the foundation for creating drawings that feel alive. You’ll learn how to apply Squash and Stretch, Staging, and Appeal directly to your figure sketches. The goal is to move beyond copying what you see and start interpreting the pose, exaggerating the gesture to tell a stronger story.

The course is structured around the teachings of legendary Disney artists like Walt Stanchfield, Marc Davis, and Milt Kahl. Each week, you’ll dive into their specific philosophies and techniques. You’ll learn to build the figure using simple, solid forms—boxes, spheres, and cylinders—giving your sketches a convincing sense of three-dimensionality even when they’re loose and gestural. By the end, you’ll have a portfolio of sketches that are not just accurate, but truly dynamic and expressive.

🧑‍🎓 Who this course is for

• Intermediate artists who want to break out of stiff, lifeless figure drawing habits.
• Animators looking to strengthen their gesture drawing and apply animation principles to their sketching.
• Concept artists and illustrators who need to draw the human figure in dynamic, believable poses.

🧑‍🏫 About the Author

Peter Han is a renowned instructor and artist known for his expertise in dynamic sketching and design. He has taught at prestigious institutions including CGMA, ArtCenter College of Design, and Concept Design Academy. His work and teaching focus on the core principles of drawing, helping students build a strong foundation in visual communication.

🏁 Final Result

• A body of loose, dynamic figure sketches that demonstrate a clear understanding of gesture, exaggeration, and solid drawing.
• The ability to apply classic animation principles to your figure drawing workflow.
• A portfolio-ready collection of work showing your ability to capture performance and storytelling in a single pose.

📢 Guys, this is a Group Buy campaign, check the GBC forum thread to get access

You can find the course preview in the download section below.