We begin by building a strong foundation in figure drawing, focusing on anatomical accuracy and the structural principles that support confident representation of the human figure. 

Working from a male life model, Adele will guide you through essential aspects of proportion, skeletal structure, and musculature to help you understand how the body moves and holds weight. 

We will consider the paintings and drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Gerrit van Honthorst, who studied anatomy to heighten the expressive power of their figures. Exercises will include sustained poses and sketch studies, designed to refine your observational skills and deepen your understanding of the body’s three-dimensional form.  

On the second day, we turn to the lyrical possibilities of drawing the human form using line. Using the female model as our primary subject, we will explore gesture, rhythm, and fluidity, paying close attention to transitions, curves and the expressive potential of the line. 

Inspired by the dynamic works of Rubens, Titian, and Velázquez, you will learn how to capture both delicacy and energy through line quality and tonal contrast. 

This day will also explore how movement is suggested in static poses and how to bring vitality and flow into your drawings.

On the final day, we shift our focus to composing the human figure within space. Working from two life models, you will experiment with arranging figures in relation to one another, considering spatial depth, interaction and balance within the picture plane. 

We will examine the compositional strategies used by Degas, Cezanne, and Poussin, from layered narrative scenes to intimate, multi-figure arrangements, and apply these insights to your own work. 

This session encourages you to develop more resolved drawings, combining structure, movement, and atmosphere in a personal visual language. Adele will offer individual guidance as you work towards a final composition to close the summer school.