feature / artcenter-extension / faculty / illustration
March 19, 2024
By Solvej Schou
Images courtesy of Jenna Gibson

ACX course Head and Hands teaches students to draw the head and hands from any angle

In the ACX course Head and Hands, taught by artist and ArtCenter alum Jenna Gibson (BFA 12 Illustration), students learn how to read and understand the primary forms of the face and hands, and translate that knowledge into an artistic statement.

In the course, Gibson teaches students how to draw the head in action, in any position; how to convey the energy of a pose; and how to draw hands dynamically and expressively by breaking them down into simple forms. Students ground their observational powers through an understanding of the planes of the head and anatomy.

“The study and understanding of anatomy are strengths that students will acquire in this course, which, in the long run, helps them to better draw the head, face and hands from any angle, from their imagination,” Gibson says.

Teaching the course online has huge advantages, she says.

“We draw from the same source and angle, which makes it easier to compare and improve a drawing,” Gibson says. “Being able to ‘pin’ two screens, side-by-side, is a creative way to follow the demo, while viewing the subject at the same time.”

In Head and Hands, aspiring artists and working professionals get the chance to boost their drawing skills and create a portfolio for professional development or to apply to one of ArtCenter’s degree programs.

The course successfully builds skills from one week to the next.

“Learning basic drawing techniques and rendering also helps any artist advance their skills and portfolio,” Gibson says.