Workshop at the Angel Academy of Art, Florence

Principles in Academic Figure Drawing

Instructor: Krasimir S. Marinov

23 June – 04 July 2025 | 60 hours

Explore the scrupulous practice of figure drawing with a focus on creating beautiful,
gracious, academic figures by building a sensibility, based on classical ideals and principles.

It goes without saying that figure drawing is the cornerstone of any art education. It lays the groundwork for understanding nature, mastering observation, and honing technical skills, while also building a robust collection of aesthetic sensibilities, philosophical convictions, and deep insights into the world of the classical. Without this foundation, it would be impossible to create a beautiful and inspiring masterwork.

During the 19th century, art reached unprecedented heights in terms of composition, technique, and emotional depth. The academic painters of this period achieved a level of magnificence unparalleled in its beauty and elegance. It is their legacy that we will be delving into, exploring the meticulous practice of figure drawing that produced some of the most outstanding academic painters of the 19th century.

Krasimir S. Marinov, Écorché cast, 2024;

executed over the course of the workshop

The workshop begins with a deep dive into the history and development academic style, followed by several demonstrations on the use of the medium (e.g., charcoal), the process and methodology, and supplemented by a few elementary exercises.

In the first week, students will begin their first sustained project: the Ecorché cast. This project provides sufficient complexity while remaining manageable for beginners.

In the second week, the focus will shift to working from a live model, culminating in a single, sustained pose that will be developed over time.

Krasimir S. Marinov, Male Study, 2024;

executed over the course of the workshop

The workshop will focus on the creation and conception of the beautiful, the graceful, and the academic—words that reflect the sensibility through which the figures will be observed and later drawn. Achieving this requires an extensive introduction and a careful breakdown of the principles underpinning classical aesthetics. One of the workshop’s core aims will be to impart these principles while providing practical instruction to supplement these drawing studies. It is important to understand the lenses through which we will be observing the figure, while simultaneously gathering the skills necessary to translate it onto paper.

A thorough grasp of anatomy, perspective, and proportion is indispensable for achieving mastery in figure drawing. Understanding how muscles, bones, and joints interact beneath the surface allows for a more truthful and dynamic representation of the human body. Likewise, a strong sense of perspective and spatial awareness ensures that figures are accurately placed within their environment, giving them a lifelike presence. Cultivating these skills requires commitment and disciplined practice, as it is through repetition and focused study that we gain control over complex forms and the confidence to render them with clarity and precision.

Krasimir presenting the lecture Principles in Academic Figure Drawing

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Testimonials

Krasimir is an excellent and a born teacher! One can observe that he is clearly passionate about what he does and that sensibility is imparted to his students. He is generous and encouraging with clear and comprehensible explanations, and immediate guidance. He helped me understand the nuances and subtleties of using charcoal. He put in 100% to see that the potential of each and every student was brought out. He demonstrated unlimited patience to answer our queries – from the basic to the complex one, every time.

The course and its structure was well constructed and laid out. He demystified figure drawing for me and most important of all – provided me with the critical foundation that I sorely lacked. I would not hesitate to take another course with Krasimir if he offers one!

~ Mansueta D’Souza

The workshop was well formatted and well paced. I gathered a better understanding of the concepts that make a good figure drawing and learned ways to work more efficiently without sacrificing quality. I think the final figure drawing I made was the best figure drawing I have ever made and definitely the most complete. 10/10

~ Frank Fetrow

I’ve tried out a new technique and now have two weeks of experience in academic live drawing. The teachers’ remarks and comments of the work were truly helpful. Drawing consistently for 6 hours a day deliberately improved my drawing and observation skills.

The location of the school is also very good, going around town and visiting museums kept me inspired throughout the whole period of the workshop.

~ Ivan Shinkarenko

Krasimir presenting the lecture Principles in Academic Figure Drawing

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