In this lesson, Steve Huston gives you a comprehensive overview of painting materials before introducing the figure as a balance of gesture and structure. You will learn how to connect forms with long-axis curves and use simple shapes such as cylinders, boxes, and eggs to orient the body in space. You’ll also reflect on Steve’s philosophy of art as an intuitive, meaningful practice that balances craft with personal expression.

This lesson belongs to the course Constructive Figure Painting I. In this 8-week course, master painter Steve Huston will lead you through the essentials of constructive figure painting. You will begin with the foundations of gesture and structure in drawing, then progress into painting through black-and-white studies, limited palettes, and expanded color. Each lesson builds sequentially, showing you how to organize values, simplify complex forms, and balance design with expressive brushwork. By the end of the course, you will have developed a strong foundation in gesture, structure, value, and color harmony that will prepare you for more advanced figure painting.

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