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HFAG Presents: Let's FIGURE It Out: An Open Media Figure Drawing Workshop with Cliff Austin
Heritage Fine Arts Guild Presents: Let's FIGURE It Out: Representation to Imagination- An Open Media Figure Workshop with Cliff Austin
Workshop description: Join artist and instructor Cliff Austin for a full-day workshop that explores the creative path from direct observation to personal artistic expression. Working from a live model in the morning and developing artwork in their medium of choice in the afternoon, participants will discover how a simple sketch can evolve into a uniquely personal work of art.
The day begins with a series of quick gesture drawings designed to loosen up the hand and sharpen observation skills. As the morning progresses, poses will become longer, allowing artists to explore form, proportion, movement, and character. Cliff will demonstrate drawing techniques throughout the session, working primarily in charcoal while offering practical tips to strengthen figure drawing skills. Individual guidance will be available throughout the workshop.
In the afternoon, participants will shift from representation to imagination, using their morning sketches as inspiration for more developed artwork. Cliff will begin with a brief lecture and demonstration before guiding artists as they interpret, simplify, embellish, or transform their studies into finished pieces. Whether your goal is realism, impressionism, abstraction, or something entirely your own, this workshop encourages creative exploration while building a stronger foundation in figure studies.
Workshop Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: Ascension Lutheran Church, 1701 W Caley Ave, Littleton, CO 80120
💲 Cost: $35 for Guild members | $75 for non-members
📝 Register: https://www.heritage-guild.com/workshopsevents.html
Payment serves as registration.
➡️ Open media: Artists working in drawing, pastel, watercolor, acrylic, oil, or mixed media are welcome. All skill levels are encouraged to participate.
Supply List: (recommended for Morning Drawing Session):
• 18" x 24" newsprint pad
• Soft willow charcoal
• NuPastels (optional)
• Drawing board
• Clips or tape
For the afternoon painting session, bring your preferred painting or drawing supplies, including brushes/palette, painting substrates or quality drawing paper, water container, mediums, cleanup materials, etc.
Note: Standing while drawing is encouraged when possible, but artists are welcome to work seated on sketch pads and/or tabletop easels.
Artist Bio:
Cliff Austin is a graduate of Denver Institute of Technology and the Rocky Mountain School of Art. Since graduating from RMSA in 1980, he has built a distinguished career as both a painter and illustrator. Cliff is affiliated with numerous Colorado art organizations including the Pastel Society of Colorado, the Plein Air Artists Colorado, the Oil Painters of America, and the American Impressionists Society.
A sought-after instructor, Cliff has taught at the Curtis Center for the Arts and other organizations throughout Colorado, including the Heritage Fine Arts Guild, where he presented Pastel Painting from Photographs in the fall of 2022.
Visit http://www. cliffaustin.com/ to learn more about Cliff.
This workshop is made possible in part by funding from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) and the Littleton Arts & Culture Grant. We are grateful for their continued support of the arts in our community.
Register now and explore figure drawing with Cliff Austin.
Visit heritage-guild.com to sign up and learn more.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3793166-0
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3793166-2
