Introduction To Figure Construction by Michael Hampton

This course distills university-level instruction on figure construction into an accessible online format. You’ll learn Michael Hampton’s proven methods for inventing and constructing figures in perspective, building a solid foundation for anatomy and character design. It’s designed to be a practical roadmap for anyone looking to improve their figure drawing skills.

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Understand basic human body proportions and key landmarks.
• Capture movement and storytelling through gesture drawing.
• Break down complex anatomy into primitive, manageable shapes.
• Construct figures using simple forms like cubes and cylinders.
• Solve drawing problems with an understanding of form intersections.
• Depict objects and figures moving towards the viewer with foreshortening.
• Practice essential drawing exercises to maintain and sharpen skills.

✅ Requirements

• Skills: Basic understanding of drawing principles, familiarity with 2D art concepts.
• Tools: Drawing software (e.g., Photoshop), a drawing tablet.
• Hardware: A computer capable of running drawing software.

📝 Description

This course is an intensive dive into figure construction, a critical approach for inventing figures in perspective and interpreting anatomy. Michael Hampton shares the drawing processes he teaches at universities and workshops worldwide. He emphasizes how fundamental drawing skills underpin every step of figure construction, making it one of the more challenging yet rewarding stages for students. The course provides detailed explanations of drawing mechanics and perspective, offering robust support for students tackling these complexities.

The recorded lectures allow you to learn and review at your own pace. Hampton has organized his workflow into a clear, step-by-step sequence designed to help you practice and refine your thinking. Suggested assignments are included to reinforce the material. While this course won’t make you draw exactly like the instructor, it provides a clear roadmap and a set of practical steps that, with consistent practice, will enable you to invent figures convincingly in space.

🧑‍🎓 Who this course is for

• Students looking to build a strong foundation in figure drawing.
• Artists interested in character design and anatomy for entertainment or fine art.
• Anyone struggling with constructing believable human figures in their artwork.
• Individuals who want to understand the underlying principles of drawing mechanics and perspective.

🧑‍🏫 About the Author

Michael Hampton is a seasoned instructor with 25 years of experience teaching figure drawing and anatomy. He has shared his expertise at prestigious institutions and studios, including Art Center, Anatomy Tools, LCAD, Blizzard Entertainment, and Lucas Film. Hampton’s lifelong passion for drawing spans technical illustration, fine art, and art history, holding degrees in each. He is fascinated by how the technical aspects of drawing enable conceptual practices and how drawing has been historically viewed. He is the author of the published book “Figure Drawing: Design and Invention,” which details a step-by-step process for figure drawing and has been translated into Japanese and Korean. His forthcoming book on gesture drawing is expected in late 2024.

🏁 Final Result

• A portfolio-ready understanding of figure construction, enabling you to invent and draw human figures with confidence in various poses and perspectives.
• The ability to break down complex anatomical forms into simpler, manageable shapes for easier interpretation and manipulation.
• A solid grasp of perspective and drawing mechanics as applied to the human figure.