U•Draw
Mastering the Art of the Portrait Bootcamp
Learn The Simple System To Drawing Realistic Portraits
Level up and create that killer portfolio piece that opens doors!
Let's get one thing out in the open right off the bat: drawing the human face is not so easy. Nothing we really want to do is.
Early on in my own journey I remember copying from photos or from one of my favorite illustrators putting lots of time and energy into a portrait only to discover (after it was too late) that the whole drawing had gone very wrong.
I remember the pain and frustration it caused me because I didn't know how it went off course or how to save it from ending up in the trash.
What was even worse was trying to draw from imagination–that was a total disaster, and I lived in fear of anyone seeing any of those drawings because then my biggest secret would be exposed: I was a terrible artist, and I didn't have the chops to make a "good" drawing.
NOT FUN.
But...what if there was a simple 7–step process that allowed you to draw the face from any angle, believably in the style you choose, both from observation and imagination, and apply it to your career as well as your personal vision and expression?
Hi, my name is Chris Petrocchi
I have been drawing and painting as a professional in the entertainment field both here in America and abroad in China as an animator and director for clients like MTV, HBO, and Nike. I have also worked as both an in house and freelance concept artist for various studios like Electronic Arts, Sony Online, Blizzard, Activision and more. I taught hundreds of students portraiture and figure drawing at several major universities in Northern California. All the while I continued to draw and paint portraits which I LOVE to do. It's my passion, so much so I wrote a book about it called "Essence: discovering the art of the portrait". That's over 25 years of my life, and it has been great living my dream.
I remember it so clearly though when it all came crashing down. That moment in my mind when I lost all hope and believed my art career was over. That was tough. You see…a few years back I went through the devastating experience of being blinded in one eye, for ever, because of a rare condition called NION. That hit me too close to the bone. As I was reeling from disbelief this one thought crowded my mind: how could this condition rob me of my lively hood by taking away the very thing I needed to do it, my eye sight? It almost did just that.
But I didn't give up. It was do or die.
There was a glimmer of hope, however small, from somewhere inside me, and I knew that maybe I just needed time. Time to learn how to cope with it, time to learn how to work around it. From that point on I would know that I was not someone who gave up so easily. I was not a quitter. I all I needed was courage, prayers and a little support from friends and loved ones.
I needed some knowledge and lots of practice too. Over the course of a year I worked up the courage to get back in the studio that I had just started renting. The first few visits were tenuous: I was scared because I was wasn't sure if I picked up a pencil if could even draw anymore. It was bad.
It was during that challenging time of facing my fears and working hard to regain my skills that I developed a framework that helped me climb out of the dark pit of despair and get my drawing skills back on track.
I call this framework SCAF(F)OLD. It's really a mindset that stands for:
SEE, CONSTRUCT, ACTION, FORM, OBJECTIVE LIGHTING and DRAW!
This SCAF(F)OLD framework is proven and tested by me. It got me out of that place where I didn't know if I could ever draw again and losing my career, to being able to gain the confidence to draw again professionally AND draw better than ever.
My SCAF(F)OLD approach is a framework designed to help you use as leverage to climb up and out of any portrait drawing obstacles or anxieties you may find yourself faced with. It's a practical, step-by-step way that is rooted in the First Principles method of solving problems used for centuries by the likes of Aristotle, Johannes Gutenberg and Elon Musk (Tesla).
I mean, if we are going to solve complex problems we are going to have to get a little bit scientific about it and use what the genius's throughout time have used :)
If you are just starting out drawing portraits this will help you start fast. If you are already an artist with some experience this is how you grow your skillset to continue your artistic visions or professional career.
Here is some of what you'll get with my SCAF(F)OLD portrait drawing system...
This course is self paced so you can start at anytime
Module 1: See + Construct
In this module you will discover the first big obstacle facing any artist occurs at the level of interpreting what it is we see. The second big obstacle for the beginning drawer is related to value.
You will overcome these things by:
- understanding how the brain interferes with seeing like an artist and countering that with the simple secret of squinting and comparing
- learning to make crucial value distinctions that make your drawing go way faster
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begin perceiving the simple black and white puzzle pieces that interlock to make a picture
and more...
Module 2: Action + Form
When drawing portraits you will need confidence to see it through and make it look solid AND alive.
In this module you will become familiar with and explore:
- the 3 gestures of the head
- how this gives you significant speed advantages for portraiture, iterating concepts and storyboards
- how to squeeze 3D form from 2D shapes
- 2 powerful concepts that help simplify complexity big time enabling you to get a drawing on the paper that looks believable and 3D in a short time
- apply Conscious Learning techniques to block-in the head using value only
- the tools that work best for you
and more...
Module 3: the Features
In this module you'll get to:
- analyze the anatomy and structure of the eyes, mouth, nose and ears
- use repetitive, focused training on each feature in 5 different positions to lock in the gains you make
and more...
Module 4: Objective + Lighting
Here you will set goals and get clear on your outcomes so you achieve predictable results
In this module you will:
- develop your understanding of story and narrative and use it in your portraits to captivate your audience
- learn how to set SMART goals and plan for success
- use 7 essential lighting set ups that convey emotion and set the mood for your portraits
and more...
Module 5: Draw!
In this module you will get to:
- techniques for drawing hair
- rendering skin and various textures
- style and how to develop it
- explode several drawing myths
- how to make someone look young or old
What others say about Chris...
"Chris was a very approachable teacher, which can be hard to find. Chris pushed me outside my comfort zone, and taught me new techniques I still use professionally. I was pretty set with my process; Chris taught me a new approach that saved me time and effort without sacrificing quality. It was always clear that if you really wanted to learn, he really wanted to teach you. "
Josh Thurman
Freelance Illustrator
"Chris Petrocchi is an excellent teacher, he taught me not only how to draw, paint and create, but also how to be a thoughtful artist. His methodology of teaching allowed for a great deal of artistic and personal growth, as well as improved knowledge of form, rendering and the underlying structure of my art. I would not be the artist I am today without his lessons. "
Joaquin Stewart-Soriano
Content Marketing Designer at Nimble Collective
"Chris is very responsible for all his students. When I asked for his help, he explained the steps patiently. I was his student in his figure drawing class, and he would always check on each student's drawing to give useful tips. Outside of the classrooms, Chris also posts demos on Youtube. It gave his students a chance to see his process of his illustrations from start to finish, which is truly inspiring to me. He is a very memorable teacher and his positive influence continue to make a big impact in my career path. "
Yuyan Li
former student
"Chris Petrocchi is very effective in not only helping one gain a better understanding of the fundamentals of drawing but also helping one lay the foundation of working towards being a better artist. For someone wanting to improve their knowledge of the human figure, Chris does an excellent job in breaking down a seemingly overwhelming subject into understandable sections. Along with the teaching fundamentals and applying the knowledge to a process, Chris works hard to understand one's artistic/professional goals and offers invaluable insight and pearls of wisdom from his experience in the industry to help guide one to start creating work that will help one start making those moves towards their goal. "
Geoff Nakanishi
3d Generalist at Deep Sky
BONUS #1
In depth portrait demonstration on the front planes of the face
Features and benefits
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Crucial training that simplifies and blends both planes and rhythms of the head making the block in process much easier
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Shows and communicates the powerful idea of building your drawing so it has maximum impact on the page
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Emphasizes connection and integration of all the parts to convey believability
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Insightful ideas on how to draw each feature of the face with a clear and simple concepts that help you remember
Bonus #2
My portrait drawing book "Essence: discovering the art of the portrait" is yours when you sign up
Features and benefits
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Seven years on the making this beautiful 144 color page ebook displays charcoal portraits, figure drawing and digital art done over my career
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Insightful step-by-step instruction on my charcoal portrait drawing process
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The stories behind each drawing
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A section on how I think about creativity, the creative process and using your drawings as a launching pad to exploration
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Digital character designs and illustrations for clients and personal work
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My life in China and how I started making art there!
U Draw! Mastering the Art of the Portrait Bootcamp
The course is SELF STUDY so you can start anytime and go at your own pace. Supercharge your Portraits!
$197
5 In-Depth Modules
45+ Step-By-Step Dynamic Instructional Videos
Downloadable Exercises and Reference Sheets
Lifetime Access to Lessons and Community
Exclusive content
Your Best Portfolio Piece
