The Drawing Workshop: Capturing the Invisible

If you have ever found yourself wishing you could step into a painting and take a look at the represented object from an angle not shown, you might want to pay a visit to The Drawing Workshop in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood. A visual arts "laboratory" where students have a chance to explore the myriad dimensions inherent in form, The Drawing Workshop offers an array of classes with a common focus: assisting the visual artist in learning to see what they are looking at.

In the words of founder and instructor George Sotos, classes at The Drawing Workshop are designed around the premise of "learning from the center out." By emphasizing the process of study rather than aiming for a finished product or specific esthetic, Mr. Sotos' teaching approach challenges students to experience their way beyond the apparent one-dimensionality of the represented form. Not surprisingly, a growing number of animation artists have been joining the ranks of Mr. Sotos' students, looking to gain in-depth understanding of the structures underlying form and -- ultimately -- movement.

Formerly a career commercial artist, Mr. Sotos has been focused on the process of teaching drawing skills for over 30 years. His credentials include a faculty position at the American Academy of Art. A tenant for several decades of the historical Tree Studios in Chicago's River North, Mr. Sotos has been based in his present location for several years.

Classes at The Drawing Workshop include an open figure drawing workshop that requires no previous registration. Instruction is also offered in basic drawing, where a live model serves as a vehicle to hone the participants' drawing skills; drawing from plaster cast, which focuses on fundamentals such as solving drawing problems and developing a sense of how light works; and color theory.

For the dedicated student, guidance is offered in learning to see three-dimensionally through a unique process involving the study of the skeletal structure. Using clay, students build each bone by hand, developing an extraordinary perception of the textures and volumes at the root of shape, posture and motion.

All instructed classes require previous registration, and enrollment is $260 for ten consecutive weeks or ten consecutive classes. Open figure drawing workshops are held Sundays from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, and Wednesdays from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Poses start at 20 seconds and gradually build to 25 minutes. Open workshops are $15 per session, and no instruction or sign-up is involved. Students are required to bring their own materials.

George Sotos welcomes both beginner and advanced students to his group classes at The Drawing Workshop. Anyone seeking guidance in developing a rich visual vocabulary is encouraged to contact him.

The Drawing Workshop is located in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood at 4410 North Ravenswood Avenue. The phone number is 773 334.4412. Their website is www.thedrawingworkshop.com.