Workshop

SVA Continuing Education presents an online drawing marathon led by faculty member Peter Hristoff (BFA 1981 Fine Arts). The session incorporates elements from the instructor’s signature Continuing Education classes at SVA such as figure drawing (the Vigorous Figure), drawing from imagination (Inventory Drawing) and drawing from reference images (Drawing Art History at The Met) to encourage participants to work in an uninhibited, loose manner. Attendees will create approximately 100 drawings in three hours, referencing poses rarely longer than a minute or two. The fast pace breaks down barriers of self-consciousness, allowing us to draw for the sake—and joy—of drawing. Open to all levels, from the novice to the professional artist.

Recommended supplies:

• Soft dark pencils such as a 4B, 6B or Prismacolor Ebony pencil (+ pencil sharpener)
• Lyra brand water-soluble graphite crayon in 9B (+ cup of water and paper towels)
• Several color-pencils (any colors)
• Permanent ink (such as Higgins brand “Black Magic”) if working in a studio + any other drawing materials you like to work with.
• Lots of paper; the paper you use can be determined by how you want to approach the class. If each drawing is done as a single work, you will need a minimum of 100 sheet of paper. A pack of decent quality photocopy paper works well. If you restocking/layering images you’ll need fewer sheets. A roll of paper works nicely: you can make a continuous “scroll” work. Past participants have done all of the drawings on a large canvas, all over the surface. Make it as simple or as complicated as you wish.

Above photo from the archives of student work by Peter Hristoff.

Peter Hristoff (BFA 1981 Fine Arts) is a visual artist working in painting, printmaking, drawing and rug making. Recent exhibition venues have included CAM Gallery Istanbul, MoMA, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Duke House NYU, The Hammond Museum, Artists Equity Gallery and the SVA Flatiron Project Space. Hristoff was selected as the first visual artist-in-residence at The Met in 2015/16, with his tenure culminating in a collaborative project with the museum’s Education Department and weavers in Aegean Turkey. Hristoff is a BFA faculty member at his alma mater, The School of Visual Arts, NY.