Gesture and Expression Using the Procreate app on the iPad

On Saturday, June 27th, 2020, I led a Zoom figure drawing class, part of the mobile Digital Arts & Creativity (mDAC) Online 2020 virtual conference. We started with shorter poses in the first half of the class and worked up to longer poses in the second half. I shared a loose, gestural and expressive approach to drawing from the model. This class combined technical information and tips on how to use Procreate, plus artistic ideas, suggestions and challenges.

Syllabus

Part 1: Shorter Poses – Gesture, Shape & Line

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM PDT

Model (and dancer): Lael Marie
(W: herstillnessdances.com / IG: @her.stillness.dances / E: laelmarie@gmail.com)

1. Welcome & Intro – Zoom Protocol (please keep yourself muted) – Speaker / Gallery View Practice – Pinning and Unpinning Practice

2. Procreate Basics – Opening a new Canvas, Choosing a Brush, Picking Color

3. Gesture Demo

4. Gesture Exercise (10 x 1 minute poses with different limitations called out every two poses)

5. Positive/Negative Shape Demo

6. Positive/Negative Shape Exercise (2 x 5 minute poses)

7. Instant Exhibitions throughout, where everyone shared their drawings in Gallery View

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM Break

Part 2: Longer Poses – Composition, Form & Color

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM PDT

Model (and musician): Amanda (accompanied by Jon in final pose)
(W: amandasingsthings.com / IG: @theartache / E: amandasingsthings@gmail.com)

1. Welcome Back

2. Blocking Out Main Value and Color Blocks Against Mid-tone Background Demo

3. Blocking Out Main Value and Color Blocks Against Mid-tone Background Exercise (1 x 5 minutes)

4. Final Long Pose – All Skate Demo

5. Final Long Pose – All Skate Exercise (1 x 20 minute live musical performance pose – Amanda on vocals and Jon on stand-up bass)

6. Instant Exhibitions midway and at end, where everyone shared their drawings in Gallery View

7. Wrap & Thanks

Speaker Break-Out (Informal optional Q&A session with instructor)

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Student Work

mDAC 2020 Student Artwork Padlet Gallery

Class Preparation Instructions

1. All instruction will be using an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil 2 and Procreate app. If you are using an iPad and Apple Pencil please make sure they are both fully charged for class.

2. Install the latest version of the Procreate app on your iPad. If you already have Procreate make sure you have updated the app.

3. Go to the App Store and update all apps to be sure you’re current.

4. Go to Settings / General / Software Update and make sure you have the latest iOS.

5. Make sure you have updated your Zoom app to the latest version. If you’re not familiar with Zoom please visit Zoom 101 for an explanation and guide.

6. ADVANCED OPTION: Take photographs of a a variety of drawing papers and other surfaces (not drawn on, though they can be dirty, distressed, messed up and have torn edges) of various colors and values (lightness/darkness). The more uniform the lighting on the surface the better. You can use your phone to take the pictures but transfer them (via AirDrop if you’re using an iPhone) to your iPad once taken. As an advanced option we can open up or import these photographs as backgrounds over which to draw.

7. Open this Padlet Gallery on your iPad browser (or point your iPad camera at the QR code blow and click on the link) and practice adding an image saved in your recent photos (Camera Roll) on your iPad. To do this click on the “+” symbol in the lower right or double click anywhere in the Padlet. Then click on the photo symbol and upload an image from your photos. Type in your name in the title and click “Post”. Once you’ve tested adding an image to the Padlet then please delete it by clicking on the three small dots in the top right of the post and choose “delete”.

Model Info for sharing your drawings with them and being able to join their online modeling sessions.

Below are photos from an earlier (non-virtual) mDAC.

Inky posing

“Beebe” by Jeremy Sutton, 2019, 1 minute pose, graphite on paper, 18in x 24in

Resources

• iPad Art Tools

• Procreate Community

Conference Program

Virtual Grand Opening of Mobile Digital Art International Exhibition
Friday June 26th, 2020
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PDT)

Two Day Online Conference
Saturday, June 27th & Sunday June 28th
8:30 am – 12:30 pm (PDT)