In this three-day workshop, Philadelphia based artist Arcenio Martin Campos will challenge the artist to push artistic boundaries with how one sees the human figure.

Working directly from observation or photo reference of the model and at a quick pace, students will understand how to use memory and speed to the best advantage in their work. Single figure studies and figure space compositions will be explored depending on the individual goals of each student.  The core of Campos’ work revolves around the figure – directly observed-and as a point of departure for narratives.  With years of solid training in observation and constant drawing, Martin has created a fluid and symbiotic relationship with the model as muse. He hopes that with this workshop, he can impart this knowledge to you.

WHAT WILL THE STUDENT LEARN?

1. A rounded sense of the existence of form made while on a substrate. The mystery of how to solve proportional problems will be clear.

2. A strong sense of the gesture which Martin considers the “lifeblood” and the “engine” behind the single figure entity.  In the gestural mode, particular attention will be presented on the skeletal system and the strong role it plays in keying in on and creating the abbreviated gesture.

3. How one can do a strong rooted figure in 10 or less marks is always the challenge. Opening up and “emptying out your form” will be the task-and how to use the power of minimalism to spark memory in future work from a particular model.

4. The importance of relating to your model as a human being with feelings and a life and not as an “object” to draw or paint. The very importance of empathy and the felt presence of the model-to add strength in one’s work.

5. How the form relates to surface tension and space. Certain aspects of the pose which puncture space and cause tension with its surroundings will be explored.

6. Dealing with narratives that are hard to believe and how to make them believable within oneself and accepting a story.

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You will receive a supply list after you register. ​