Dynamic Figure Sketching (2023-S3)
- Publisher
- CGMA
- Product Type
- Video Course
- Author
- Peter Han
- Language
- English
- Duration
- 25:54
- Release date
- May 1, 2023
- Skill level
- Project Files
- Yes
- Product Price
- $699
Dynamic Figure Sketching is an 8-week course focused on creating expressive, energetic figure drawings by combining loose gesture with solid volumetric construction.
This is not a traditional academic figure drawing course built around stiff poses and perfect copying. Instead, the course teaches students how to capture the performance of the figure - the action, intention, rhythm, weight, and personality behind a pose. Students learn how to interpret what they see, exaggerate gesture, and turn simple sketches into drawings that feel alive.
The course draws inspiration from the techniques and philosophies used by legendary Disney animators, including Walt Stanchfield, Marc Davis, and Milt Kahl. Students will explore how classic animation principles can be applied directly to figure sketching, helping them create drawings with stronger staging, appeal, movement, and storytelling.
Throughout the course, students will use simple forms such as boxes, spheres, and cylinders to build figures that feel solid and three-dimensional, while still keeping the sketch loose, dynamic, and expressive. By the end of the course, students will have a stronger process for drawing figures that feel active, believable, and full of life.
What You’ll Learn
- How to apply the 12 Animation Principles to figure sketching
- How to capture the performance and intent of a pose
- How to combine loose gesture with solid structure
- How to build the figure using simple volumetric forms
- How to use boxes, spheres, and cylinders to create three-dimensional drawings
- How to exaggerate gesture for more dynamic and interesting poses
- How to avoid stiff, lifeless figure drawings
- How to develop a stronger sense of weight, rhythm, and movement
- How to build a “kinesthetic sense” and feel the pose in your own body
- How to sketch drapery and props in a loose, story-driven way
- How to create figure sketches with stronger appeal, staging, and storytelling
Course Curriculum
Week 1 - Gesture, Performance, and the Animated Pose
Students are introduced to the main goal of the course: capturing the performance of the figure. This week focuses on seeing the pose as a moment of action rather than a static shape, with emphasis on gesture, energy, and intent.Week 2 - The 12 Animation Principles for Figure Drawing
This week explores how classic animation principles can be applied to sketching. Students learn how concepts such as Squash and Stretch, Staging, Appeal, and Exaggeration can make figure drawings feel more alive.Week 3 - Building the Figure with Simple Volumes
Students learn how to construct the figure using basic forms such as boxes, spheres, and cylinders. The focus is on creating a solid three-dimensional foundation while keeping the drawing loose and readable.Week 4 - Exaggeration and Dynamic Posing
This week focuses on pushing gestures beyond what is seen in the reference. Students learn how to exaggerate poses while maintaining believable structure, balance, and clarity.Week 5 - Rhythm, Flow, and Kinesthetic Drawing
Students develop a stronger sense of rhythm and body mechanics. The week introduces the idea of kinesthetic drawing — feeling the action of the pose in your own body to better understand weight, tension, and movement.Week 6 - Solid Drawing and Form Control
This week strengthens the connection between gesture and structure. Students learn how to keep their drawings expressive while still maintaining convincing perspective, form, and construction.Week 7 - Drapery, Props, and Story Details
Students learn how to sketch clothing, drapery, and props in a way that supports the pose and adds storytelling. The focus is on keeping these elements loose, dynamic, and connected to the action of the figure.Week 8 - Final Dynamic Figure Sketches
The final week brings together gesture, construction, exaggeration, staging, and storytelling. Students complete a series of dynamic figure sketches that demonstrate a stronger understanding of performance and solid drawing.Requirements
Students should have some previous experience with figure sketching and a basic understanding of human structure and proportions.Recommended tools:
- Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or similar drawing software
- Pencil and paper for traditional work
- Drawing tablet for digital sketching
- Basic figure drawing experience
- Understanding of gesture drawing
- General knowledge of structure and proportions
Who This Course Is For
This course is ideal for intermediate artists who want to make their figure drawings feel more alive, dynamic, and expressive.It is especially useful for:
- Figure drawing students
- Animators
- Concept artists
- Illustrators
- Character designers
- Story artists
- Artists who struggle with stiff or lifeless poses
- Anyone who wants to apply animation principles to drawing the human figure
About the Instructor
The course is taught by Peter Han, a renowned artist and instructor known for his expertise in dynamic sketching, design, and visual communication.Peter has taught at respected institutions including CGMA, ArtCenter College of Design, and Concept Design Academy. His teaching focuses on helping students build strong drawing fundamentals, understand form, and communicate ideas clearly through confident, expressive sketches.
Through this course, Peter guides students through a practical approach to figure sketching that combines gesture, solid drawing, animation principles, and storytelling.
Final Result
By the end of the course, students will have created a collection of loose, dynamic figure sketches that demonstrate stronger gesture, exaggeration, construction, and performance.Students will leave with a practical process for applying classic animation principles to figure drawing, giving them the ability to create poses that feel expressive, believable, and full of story.
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