Figure Drawing: Creating Depth and Naturalism in Mixed Media

with Scott Garder

This course is open to: students of all experience levels. Ideal for both beginners and those with atelier training alike.

“Learning to exploit mixed media on toned paper helped me create luminosity and depth in my work in an efficient and painterly way; this approach facilitates the rendering of forms and gets one to a sophisticated result more quickly than when working in graphite on white paper alone.” —Scott Garder

We are thrilled to welcome Grand Central Atelier graduate and instructor, Scott Garder for this intensive figure drawing workshop! In this 5-day drawing class, students will learn the fundamental techniques for creating both highly accurate and compelling figure drawings whilst working from the live model. Beginning with a linear block-in that focuses on gesture, the visual impression and the underlying structure of the human form, students will learn how to utilise both optical and conceptual drawing methods simultaneously.

Scott will teach students how to balance keen observation with judicious conceptualisation in order to achieve accuracy of shapes and proportions whilst rendering a dynamic figure drawing. Scott’s approach focuses on a thoughtful combination of interpreting visual information and conceptualising three-dimensional form, so that students get the best of both worlds—the naturalism and specificity that comes from the optical, and the rock solid sculptural quality that comes from a conceptual approach.

Over the course of this workshop, students will receive thirty hours of studio time with ample individual instruction. Scott will guide students through the entire process via comprehensive lectures, in-depth technical demonstrations and one-on-one individual critiques. In addition, Scott will display a selection of current works from his own portfolio as well as a curated selection of master drawing reproductions from art history in order to inspire students and provide essential visual examples of the concepts he is teaching. Students of all experience levels are welcome!

What you will learn in this workshop: 

• How to accurately simplify the figure, first into construct lines and then into abstract shapes representing light and shade

• How to measure for proportion through comparative measure technique

• Fundamentals of the anatomy and structural drawing

• How to render form through conceptualisation based on knowledge of the light source

• How to make keen and specific observations via ‘The Visual Impression’

• Various properties of drawing materials, including pencil sharpening and application of graphite to build up tone

Materials you will need for this workshop:

All materials can be purchased on either Jacksonsart.com or Cassart.co.uk. We recommend buying all your supplies in advance of the workshop. Most materials below have a specific product link in gold.

However, if you are traveling internationally and are looking to make packing easier, you can get most of your supplies at the local Cass Art Store, which is just a 5 minutes’ walk from the studio. Otherwise, to buy supplies in advance you will have to do so from an equivilent art supply store in your own country, as we cannot have supplies shipped to the academy in advance. Thank you.

Drawing Materials:

• Staedler Mars graphite pencils:

2B, B, HB, H, 2H

• 1 White Chalk Pencil

• 1 gum (kneadable) eraser: grey coloured, not white

• 1 Pen Eraser (Tombow MONO Zero Recommended)

Paper:

• A sheet of hand-toned paper will be provided for you.

Other Materials:

• 1 graphite sanding pad 

• 1 Stanley blade (for sharpening pencils)

• 1 soft round paintbrush to flatten shadows 

• 1 roll of masking tape

• 1 hand-held mirror

• A1 sized portfolio case for transporting drawings

• 1 sketchbook for note-taking

Meet your Instructor:

Instructor Bio

Scott Garder b. 1986 , Northern California.

Contemporary realist artist Scott Garder is an Instructor and Artist in Residence at the prestigious Grand Central Atelier in New York City. Draftsmanship and craft are both central in his philosophy and approach to art making. His work primarily focuses on portraiture and figurative work, through which he aims to convey both broad conceptual truths and the beauty of the shared, human experience.

Scott has recently won several prestigious awards, including both 1st & 2nd place in the 2025 ARC Salon’s ‘From Life’ category. His work hangs in collections ranging from North America to South America, Europe & Australia.

ACCOMMODATION and Travel details

Please visit our About the Studio page for more information on traveling to Largs and on finding accommodation.