Figure ‘n Color
Black figurative artists in the Bay Area will teach life drawing and painting students how to accurately depict Black art models.
Celebrating professional Black art models of all sizes, genders, and identities, these 2-3 day workshops will cover topics ranging from portraiture (how to render African phenotypes, Black facial features, and hair textures) to the many shades of Blackness (how to create African skin tones).
Students of every ethnicity are encouraged to sign up for Figure ‘n Color workshops.
FALL 2022 SCHEDULE
Black Portraiture – Watercolor
Friday, September 30, 5pm-8pm PDT
Saturday, October 1, 11am-2pm PDT
Sunday, October 2, 11am-2pm PDT
Learn Black Portraiture with Mr. B! This three-session workshop will cover how to look at and draw Black facial features, as well as painting techniques with watercolor to create beautiful dark skin tones.
Covid-19 Safety: Participants are required to wear a mask at all times during the workshop and in indoor spaces at Richmond Art Center.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Richmond Art Center has dedicated scholarships for Black community members interested in taking these workshops for free. APPLY HERE
ABOUT FIGURE ‘N COLOR
Figure ‘n Color is an art model–led figurative drawing experience that highlights and celebrates the diverse Black body. Curated as a cultural learning event, Figure ‘n Color is a hub for models and artists, providing resources and instruction on how to accurately and ethically render Black artist models. The curators of Figure ‘n Color are Black fine art models alluris-michele and Titania Kumeh, with assistant curator Kristina Modeste.
Titania Kumeh (she/her) has worked as an artist model in the Bay Area and beyond for more than a dozen years. She is a board member in the Bay Area Models Guild, the longest running art model–led collective in the United States. When not posing and organizing her own figure drawing events, Titania enjoys screaming at benefit shows with her punk band Big Freak. She’s into writing and creating performance art about her African-Caribbean origins and her first-generation experiences. She loves hanging out and striving towards Black queer liberation with friends. See some of her work on Instagram @titaniaartmodel
alluris-michele (she/her/they) is an intuitively led creative visionary, curator and art model. Their art modeling journey began in Atlanta, GA, where they transitioned off the modeling stand and began curating model events such as Nudtopia, Pangea’s Garden: AfroSocial held at the famous Apache Cafe. alluris-michele is a Bay Area native and a member of the Bay Area Models Guild. They also have a practice as a professional model coach and coordinates the musical lineup for the music and art festival, Afro Rythmia. alluris-michele’s connection to their ancestors is the driving force behind their life, their creative expression and their personhood. You can follow alluris-michele on Instagram @theealluringone
As Assistant Curator, Kristina Modeste is the newest addition to the Figure ‘n Color team. Her background as a yoga instructor allows her to channel healing through expressive movement and play. She finds joy in this artistic offering of embodied freedom. She is excited to join Titania and Alluris in this intentional curation of safety for Black creatives as they experience themselves in this expansive space.
Mr.B is an art educator based in SF who aims to teach others how to see art from a fresh, and up to date perspective. Between private commissions in watercolor portraiture, both private and group classes, and collaborations with places like Stanford children’s hospital, Mr. B is excited to share his experience with others who take an interest in art! HIs passion is to help others view themselves as artists, and to be happy with what they create. No matter what he is teaching, the lessons are always more than just about art.
Top Image: Artwork by Sydney Sohen; model is Titania
