Can I skip Figure Drawing Fundamentals? (for now!)

[katiebee]

Hello all! I've been working my way through the fundamentals courses and I love it! I just finished Level 1 and am super excited to move foreward.

Here's my problem: I'm at my grandma's atm to take care of her. I started the Figure Drawing Fundamentals course but it's recommended to work on larger paper with charcoal, which I have at home and can't get to for another week or so. But since I have nothing to do but sit around in a tiny village and wait for my grandma to need help, I'd like to stay occupied and learning. I'm really in a good groove right now^^

My question is (especially for those who have taken the fundamentals courses): can I skip Figure Drawing Fundamentals for now?
The reason I'm asking is that I assume the courses have been arranged in this order for a reason and probably build on each other and I'd like to get the best out of them. If I skip this course (for now), would that impact my learning experience of the next course?

[Serj Albert]

@katiebee I did. I watched the course and took notes, and moved to the next one, Figure Drawing for Illustrators. spent more times on that. I work mostly digitally btw.

[nohdee]

@katiebee I have no idea how the course structure works, but I guess there are 3 options you can do - skip it & come back later (or) take notes and work digitally for now to check what you learned (or) practice with similar things you have or find around you, substitute them

[Lynn S.]

I found that the courses in the foundations build on each other. I wouldn't get hung up on the materials. I worked digitally and used a pencil brush. If I was in your postion I would try using a pencil and regular sized paper.

[AustinShurtliff]

While there is some value in using large paper and charcoal type tools, you can still learn a lot working in any medium.

[AthenaBeana]

@AustinShurtliff What value is there? Is it worth it to get large paper and charcoal tools for learning figure drawing?

[katiebee]

@Serj-Albert I think I'll skip for now and come back when I have the materials. I also work mostly digital, but sometimes I love the feeling of traditional media.

[katiebee]

@nohdee I think I'll skip for now and come back in a few days when I have the materials. Idk but I love the feeling of charcoal and don't want to miss out haha

[katiebee]

@Lynn-S Perhaps I'll watch the videos and to the assignments when I have the materials. Thing is, I really like the feeling of charcoal and don't want to miss that.

[katiebee]

@AustinShurtliff True but I love using charcoal and tbh it would make me a bit sad not to use it when I have the opportunity.

[AustinShurtliff]

@AthenaBeana I think there is certainly value in drawing the figure on a large piece of paper. Drawing something at a larger scale has improved my overall technique and allowed me to work on larger strokes instead of small ones, mainly using my wrist. While you can draw a human head at a relatively large size on a normal piece of paper, the human figure is much larger, which makes the larger paper helpful. Charcoal is not a requirement, but I've found that the medium helps me make large, quick strokes while figuring out the figure's gesture and encourages me not to focus too much on nodding at little details. I can understand not wanting to spend a lot of money on supplies. I would recommend getting some cheap large sheets of paper (like newsprint or even just 11x17 sheets if that is easier to come across) to experience drawing the whole figure at a larger scale. You can still do many of the drawings in your preferred size and medium, but doing a few large would be very helpful.