Online Art School «Artefacto»
NEW EXCLUSIVE ONLINE COURSE
by KEN GOLDMAN
The Expressive Figure
Develop professional-level figure drawing skills with a proven, step-by-step system by Ken Goldman – Past President of the National Watercolor Society, author of 17 art instruction books, and 40+ years teaching master
LIFETIME ACCESS |
NEW EXCLUSIVE ONLINE COURSE
by Ken Goldman
The Expressive Figure
Develop professional-level figure drawing skills with a proven, step-by-step system by Ken Goldman – Past President of the National Watercolor Society, author of 17 art instruction books, and 40+ years teaching master
LIFETIME ACCESS |
Discover the art of capturing people with confidence, spontaneity, and purpose. In this course, you’ll learn to work with gesture, rhythm, and design – transforming flat shapes into living, breathing watercolor paintings.
Under the guidance of Ken Goldman – Past President of the National Watercolor Society, author of 17 instructional books, and a master with over 40 years of teaching experience – you’ll develop a systematic approach to figure drawing that builds from quick two-minute gestures to expressive watercolors.
By the end of this course, you’ll approach figure drawing with clarity and professionalism, knowing exactly what to do first, second, and third. Whether you sketch from life or work from reference, you’ll have the tools to capture the figure with both precision and freedom. Join us and take your figure work to the next level!
This course is for you if you:
Are serious about reaching professional level
You’ve moved beyond the basics and want deep, structured knowledge from a true master.
Want to finally understand figure drawing systematically
You’ve tried various approaches, but the figure still feels like a mystery. You need a clear method: what to do first, what to leave out, and why.
Seek a breakthrough in your artistic development
You sense there’s a fundamental skill you’re missing, and figure drawing is that missing piece.
Value learning from the best
You know that who teaches matters as much as what is taught. A Past President of the National Watercolor Society with 17 books and 40+ years of experience is the mentor you’ve been looking for.
Ken about the course...
Course Table of Contents (total 4 h)
Introduction
Learn more about your instructor Ken Goldman and see how the course will be organized.
Lesson 1:
Building the Figure – From Silhouette to Form
Master the foundation of figure drawing: turning flat silhouettes into three-dimensional forms. Ken guides you through his systematic approach – capturing the figure’s essential gesture, then adding volume through simple cylinders and establishing a clear light source. You’ll learn to see the figure as shapes and angles first, not details.
This is where everything begins: a solid structure that supports all the expressive work to come. By the end of this lesson, your figures will have weight, presence, and believable form.
Lesson 2:
Quick Gestures in Watercolor
Bring your drawings to life with spontaneous watercolor techniques. In this lesson, you’ll translate the silhouettes from Lesson 1 into expressive one-minute watercolor figures using wet-into-wet and dry brush methods.
Ken shows you how to add contour lines for expressiveness, use negative shapes as a powerful drawing tool, and mix rich, intense colors directly on the paper. This is figure drawing at its most alive: fast, intuitive, and full of energy.
Lesson 3:
Preparing for Longer Poses
Learn the secret professionals use before committing to a finished painting: thumbnail studies. Ken demonstrates how to create small, quick watercolor sketches that solve compositional problems before you scale up.
You’ll work from a reference photo, interpreting it through your own design decisions – exploring color, value, and placement in miniature. This lesson teaches you to think before you paint, saving time and frustration on larger works.
Lesson 4:
The Finished Gestural Watercolor
In this final lesson, Ken guides you through creating a complete gestural figure painting in 30–40 minutes. You’ll apply all the skills from previous lessons: solid structure, expressive brushwork, confident color mixing.
Ken also introduces his favorite expressive tool: the Itoya water-soluble calligraphy pen, showing how a simple touch of water transforms ink lines into beautiful shadow patterns. By the end, you’ll have a finished watercolor figure that feels both spontaneous and intentional – and the confidence to create many more.
What results you will achieve at the course
01
Master a systematic approach to figure construction – know exactly how to plan your creative process from start to finish
02
Learn to adapt your approach to different pose lengths – from confident 2-minute gestures to refined 40-minute watercolors
03
See what to leave out for maximum impact – because a key to a powerful figure is knowing which elements to simplify, suggest, or omit entirely
04
Gain practical techniques for mixing rich, intense colors directly on paper – achieving vibrant, harmonious results without muddy palette mixes
05
Transform how you see the figure – using negative shapes, gesture, and rhythm as active drawing tools and designing with intention
06
Build the confidence to attend sketch groups and life drawing sessions – turning what once felt intimidating into an enjoyable practice
Meet your instructor:
Ken Goldman
- Past President of the National Watercolor Society — a leader in the American watercolor community
- Internationally recognized artist with 40+ years of teaching experience at the Athenaeum School of Arts, La Jolla
- Author of 17 instructional books on artistic anatomy, pastels, acrylics, and charcoal (Walter Foster, Barnes & Noble)
- Juror of Selection at American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, and Venice International Watercolor Exhibition
- Trained at the Art Students League, National Academy of Design, and studied with master Wolf Kahn
- Works held in permanent collections: San Diego Museum of Fine Art, Hilbert Museum of California Art, Zuo Wen Museum (China)
- Unique approach fusing classical Western anatomy with Eastern brushwork traditions — studied Japanese and Chinese Sumi-e for four years
- Known for his patient, supportive teaching style: «I’m more patient with my students than they are with themselves»
We offer different plans
Standard
4 video lessons (total 4h)
- 8 different sketches in unique author's technique
- 24/7 access from any location at your own pace
- LIFETIME access to the video lessons as a bonus
- Access to the moderated students community on WhatsApp
- Final project (your own painting)
- Bonus: 30 ArtiCoins
Premium
- 8 different sketches in unique author's technique
- Recorded video lessons with 24/7 access
- LIFETIME access to the video lessons as a bonus
- Access to the moderated students community on WhatsApp
- Final project (your own painting)
- Individual feedback on all 4 lesson assignments and 1 creative task from a professional curator within 75 days
- Certificate of Completion
- Bonus: 40 ArtiCoins
Only 30 places are available
Standard
4 video lessons (total 4h)
- 8 different sketches in unique author's technique
- 24/7 access from any location at your own pace
- LIFETIME access to the video lessons as a bonus
- Access to the moderated students community on WhatsApp
- Final project (your own painting)
- Bonus: 30 ArtiCoins
Premium
- 8 different sketches in unique author's technique
- Recorded video lessons with 24/7 access
- LIFETIME access to the video lessons as a bonus
- Access to the moderated students community on WhatsApp
- Final project (your own painting)
- Individual feedback on all 4 lesson assignments and 1 creative task from a professional curator within 75 days
- Certificate of Completion
- Bonus: 40 ArtiCoins
Only 30 places are available
You have no risks – we support you!
No risk for you*
In case after 1–2 lessons of the coursе you realize that is not for you, YOU WILL GET YOUR MONEY BACK!
*within 14 days after payment
Freeze
For Premium plan – If the start date is not convenient, we freeze the course
(1 time free of charge)
Freedom & Mobility
Make your own schedule and go through the lessons at a comfortable pace – whenever and wherever you like
Certificate of completion (for Premium Plan)
Upon completion of the course for the students of Premium plan we issue a certificate. The certificate could be used as a proof of your qualification's upgrade at work (if it is related to arts) and for your private affairs as a recognition of your mastery in painting.
Your curator for this course
Olga Karlsson
Watercolor artist, Sweden
- Olga is a practicing artist interested in the medium of watercolor and acrylic.
- After graduating from the St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering she has been working as an architect in St Petersburg and has founded a school of aesthetic education for children.
- Olga came to Sweden in 1993, she is a self employed, manages an art courses in Karlstad and all over Sweden (online).
- Olga participated in national and international exhibitions and competitions such as IWS Fabriano Acquarello (2019, 2022), IWS Bulgaria (2019) , IWS Malajsia (2021).
HERE YOU MAY FIND OLGA'S WORKS
Examples of Olga's works
How is your learning process organized?
BEFORE COURSE
Full course program
List of course materials
Friendly community of beginner and professional artists
AT COURSE
Recorded video lessons
Watch lessons at your own pace
Closed students' chat
Feedback from curator
AFTER COURSE
Certificate of completion
Own portfolio
Skills and knowledge practiced
Part of our art community
Which materials do you need for the course?
- Watercolor paper — cotton rag quality (HP or CP)
- Drawing paper — 18×24″ smooth newsprint
- Foam-core board — 19×25″
- Brushes — #16 and #8 synthetic round, 1″ flat.
- Pencils — 2B graphite or charcoal
- Charcoal & sticks — vine charcoal, sanguine conte, white pastel
- Masking tape — 1/2″ or 3/4″
- Water pots — 3 containers
- Kitchen roll / paper towels
- Sandpaper — 40–90 grit
- Tube watercolor paints — warm and cool primaries plus neutrals
- Optional — Cretacolor Nero Black leads, water-soluble marker, drying tool
Examples of Ken's work
What students from around the globe say about learning with Ken Goldman:
Frequently asked questions
Contact us
For customer care:
info@artefactoschool.online
Our working hours:
Monday — Friday
7 am — 6 pm Central European Time (CET)
Artefacto Learning Platform Limited
This site is owned and operated by ARTEFACTO LEARNING PLATFORM LIMITED
