In this phase you will learn to break the figure down into various “mannequins” and to understand the canons of measurement and proportion. You will also be introduced to the male and female planes, and how to unify your figures using the basic figure abstraction. Terms defined in this phase will become critical for studying and communicating anatomical information later. Students at the Atelier often find the core phases to be the most challenging. We will cover many concepts you must commit to memory through patient practice and repetition. Remember that lessons can be watched as many times as you like. Fasten your seat belts for this phase, it is teaming with great information!

Now that you have started to digest the basic foundational components of the Watts method, you can begin to apply what you’ve learned. This phase will introduce you to studying the male and female forms through photo work. Jeff will demonstrate how to bring out the basic abstraction rhythms, as well as walk you through some lay-ins from the most common angles. Once you’ve worked your way through these exercises you will then apply the lessons to the live model. This training mimics the Twenty Minute Lay-in class at the Atelier, which students take over and over until the technique becomes intuitive. You will ultimately have to attend a life drawing session to cement these techniques. However, don’t worry if that isn’t possible. Practice from photos will always hold an important place in your training. Although it is no replacement for life work, photos will serve you well until you can get yourself in front of a model.

In this phase we will be exploring one of my favorite subjects, the figure quick sketch.  It is an amazing skill to execute these to their highest level, and takes years of diligent practice to really feel comfortable navigating the human form in such a short period of time.  I have done this exercise consistently over the past 25 years and still love it.  I do not say all this to discourage you but rather to hopefully paint a realistic picture so you are not so hard on yourself.  The ones in this phase are very complex so do the best you can to copy them.  It may take several goes at them and more time but try to understand one or two things each time you try them.  You will be developing superior dexterity, design knowledge, cultivating calligraphy, strengthening you visual memory and much more.  This method will serve you well for storyboarding,animation,comic and conceptual design work, and anything else that relies on figure invention.  Practice this discipline religiously once or so a week along with your other studies.  Good luck and remember the abstraction from the first phase.