Capturing the Glorious Human Form: Our Beauties Our Time

The human figure has long been the most inspirational subject in art. Modern and contemporary female artists like Frida Kahlo and YBAs renown member Jenny Saville created a legacy with their impactful depictions of the human form that opened our eyes, minds and souls.    

Nowadays, there are different kinds and standards of beauty regardless of age, body shape, outfit or charisma which could widen and inspire different possibilities of representation and experimentation.  This newly themed 10-lesson course ‘Our Beauties Our Time’ will let us to explore plenty of ways of representing and interpreting the human figure further by observing life models (clothed or nude) and referencing photographs in different charisma and appearances, and studying great works from the modern and contemporary periods. For participants aged 18 and above.  

Using pencil/charcoal, pastel and oil, students will: 

• Explore and capture different possibilities of the human figure 

• Acquire skills in illustrating the human form proportionally and expressively 

• Apply colour in objective and subjective ways 

• Use brushstroke to express rhythm and movement 

• Employ elements such as lines, shapes, colour and texture to convey emotions and feelings 

• Enhance understanding of structure and techniques relative to body parts and the composition of the human figure

Lesson 1 – Classical Proportion and Structure (Monochrome in pastel) 

Lesson 2 – Lady Macho: Classical Figure in Oil I (Underpainting. Monochrome)  

Lesson 3 – Lady Macho: Classical Figure in Oil II (Overpainting. Limited palette) Model 

Lesson 4 – Gestural Drawing / Sketching (Pastel)  

Lesson 5 – Footloose Beauty in Oil I (Underpainting. Monochrome) Model in Modern Dance Wear 

Lesson 6 – Footloose Beauty in Oil II (Overpainting. Full palette) Model in Modern Dance Wear 

Lesson 7 – Tattooed / Oversized Beauty: Distortion in Lines & Colour (Full palette. Pastel)  

Nude Model 

Lesson 8 – Beauty in Punk/ Street Outfit: Reconstructed Figure in Geometric vs Freehand Form  

(Full palette. Pastel) Model in Punk/ Street Clothing 

Lesson 9 – Self-initiated Semi-Abstract Creation in Oil I (Composition, Forms & Basic Palette) 

Lesson10 – Self-initiated Semi-Abstract Creation in Oil II (Development and Refinement. Self-chosen Palette)  

Models and themes are subject to change according to model availability and tutor’s arrangement without prior notification. 

Become masterful in highlighting the beauty of the human form — register for this course today! 

Students should bring their own rag cloth and kitchen towel for classes. 

Tutor
Steven Leung   

Steven Leung acquired his BA & MFA degrees from the Department of Fine Art of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has been teaching drawing, painting, design and art appreciation at various institutions including the department of Fine Art at CUHK & CUSCS, SCOPE (City University of Hong Kong) and Hong Kong Art School for almost three decades. His teaching extends to children and teenagers in studios and secondary schools, and he has even painted murals for schools and public places. 

Steven draws inspiration from the ordinary people and household objects around him. Through the medium of oil, pencil, charcoal or paper, he fuses the real and envisioned imageries to connect others with himself and the outside world with his inner world. 

Steven’s many exhibitions include solo ones such as When Will I See You Again – Figure Paintings & Drawings by Steven Leung (2019) and Domestica- Painting, Drawings & Paper cuts by Steven Leung (2017), , and group exhibitions like the Contemporary Hong Kong Biennial Art Exhibition (1992, 1997) and Philippe Charriol Art Competition Exhibition (1991, 1999). His works are widely collected by Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Philippe Charriol Foundation and private collectors.