ReMastered Course – 
This course has been updated with downloadable assignments, optimized video lesson flow, new reference images, plus standardized rubrics and materials lists for a more effective learning experience.

In this lesson, Steve Huston focuses on creating dynamic figure sketches and expressive portrait studies in ink and gouache. You’ll start with warm-up figure sketches in fountain pen, using gestural lines and overlapping forms to explore movement and relationships between poses. Steve then guides you through compositional thumbnails for a portrait study, teaching you to experiment with color, edge quality, and mood. By the end of this lesson, you’ll gain confidence in capturing figures and portraits with fluid, expressive brushstrokes, and thoughtful composition.

This lesson belongs to the course The Practice of Sketchbooking: Ink, Watercolor, and Gouache. In this 6-week course, renowned artist Steve Huston guides you through the essential practice of sketchbooking with ink, watercolor, and gouache. Each week focuses on foundational skills like line work, pen hatching, value, color, and composition through focused studies of figure paintings, master studies, landscapes, and still lifes. Steve’s lessons emphasize technical development and personal interpretation, encouraging you to explore your unique voice through practical exercises. You’ll discover how a simple sketchbook can become a powerful tool to hone your skills and serve as the foundation for future masterpieces. By the end of the course, you’ll have the tools and knowledge to fuel your artistic growth through a consistent sketching habit.

Throughout this course, you’ll have access to the NMA community for feedback and critiques to improve your work as you progress.