Dynamic Figure Drawing with Trish Harding

Learn to draw the figure from the “Inside Out” with the simple concept of Length & Direction.

Whether you are a beginning or returning student, come learn to draw what you see ... not what you think you see! Using a clothed model, Trish Harding will guide you in learning the elements of gesture, shape, value, and more which will infuse your drawings with dynamism and drama. Work at your own pace as you learn to draw better than you ever thought possible!

This one day workshop will start at the beginning:

Quick warm up sketches to capture gestural information about what your subject “is doing” where your first marks (from the inside out) set the stage for the dynamic of your drawing.

Using “Length & Direction” and understanding the power of line we will get proportions under control.

We will have a discussion about the most important drawing contrast “Value.” We will do a few more exercises that will clarify what “Shape” is and how it contributes to composition.

Our critique “from the heart” will be directed in a positive and constructive way to help you see what is successful in your final drawing.

Please expect to tip your model between $5-$10 for their great work.

Bring your own lunch or choose to preorder box lunches from us (we’ll send an email closer to the date for ordering).

Supplies you will need to bring with you:

• Easel

• Big Bob’s Charcoal-one piece (you can get at Dakota Art Store)

• Newsprint Pad, rough-24x18”

• Drawing Clipboard, 23x26”

About Trish Harding

Trish Harding was born in Washington State and grew up on Lummi Island, literally feet from the water’s edge with a magnificent view of Mt Baker at the same time. She is the Salish Sea. Her formal art training includes Western Washington State College (now WWU), and The Academy of Art College, San Francisco. Trish is owner of Studio UFO in Bellingham, which has proven to be the hot spot in town for leading edge art and art education.
Trish not only teaches painting at Studio UFO, she also has been teaching at Whatcom Community College for 22 years, and Portland’s Creative Arts Community for 20 years, and countless workshops around the Pacific Northwest. She is an art trip leader to various places in the world including Paris, France, San Miguel & Mexico City, Mexico, Yellowstone Park & Cody, Wyoming, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, Palm Springs, and Victoria BC, Canada.

She has facilitated the Annual Downtown Bellingham Plein Air Paint Out and Exhibition (PAPO) event for 16 years. The Figure Wall at Studio UFO boasts her considerable figurative work in 20 minute charcoal figure drawings. In 2017 Trish was selected as the Skagit Valley International Tulip Festival Poster Artist. Her image recently received the Gold Pinnacle Award from the International Festivals & Events Association for Best Commemorative Poster in 2017. Trish’s nine piece floral watercolor commission is on permanent display at the Woodlawn Park Hospital in The Dalles, Oregon. The Whatcom Museum owns her original painting, Metamorphosis and Peace Health Medical Center also has Color on the Edge in their permanent collection. As a past president of the NW Pastel Society Trish established digital entries and newsletters updating the society to the digital age.

In June of 2023 she moved back to her beloved Lummi Island delving even deeper into living on the edge of the Salish Sea and allowing her work to move naturally in a new direction.

Plan Your Trip


The ferry schedule and directions to the farm are found here for your reference.
If you are coming from off island for an overnight, consider staying with us on the farm! We have a beautiful rental available. Stay two nights to receive a 30% nightly discount.
There are also many vacation rentals offered by Stay & Sea (20% discount code is FULLBLOOM), RecRetreats, Lummi Island Vacations, Airbnb or VRBO. If you're interested in sharing a vacation rental with another workshop attendee, please make sure to select this as an option when checking out and we will connect interested parties via email as they sign up.

Tickets are nonrefundable, but they are transferable