What Is Figure Drawing? An Inspiring Look at the Artistic Tradition

The practice of drawing the human form

is one of the most essential skills in an artist’s training. It develops a sharp eye for proportion, form, and light, and trains artists to capture the structure and movement of the body with accuracy and expression.

The tradition of drawing goes back centuries, particularly in European art academies, where students spend countless hours on life drawing from real models. In Vietnam, this tradition is still a core part of formal art education. At the Vietnam University of Fine Arts and other art schools, students are required to practice life drawing intensively for three years during their foundational studies, starting with plaster casts and progressing to drawing from live models. This rigorous approach builds a solid foundation in observation, anatomy, and classical technique.

Today, in Hanoi, opportunities to study classical life drawing in the traditional way are rare. Art Tutor Hanoi is currently the only place offering structured training in this discipline, using time-tested atelier methods that emphasize drawing from life and analyzing form in depth.

Learning life drawing is not just about mastering anatomy—it’s about understanding how to convey life, weight, and emotion through lines and shapes. Whether you are a professional artist, an art student, or a beginner passionate about learning to draw, developing your drawing skills will elevate your artistic ability to the next level.

Drawing from live models is a fundamental foundation for professional painting. Many successful artists began their careers by mastering this core discipline, building the ability to see and translate the human form with precision. A strong command of human drawing gives artists the confidence to experiment with style, composition, and expression, while still maintaining structural accuracy in their works.