FIGURE DRAWING with DANIEL TORETSKY
Figure Drawing with Daniel Toretsky
We’re very excited to introduce a new monthly series at Kiki & Bouba Craft Lab: Figure Drawing, led each month by a different guest artist whose work and practice we admire.
Rather than following one set approach to figure drawing, each guest artist will lead the class through their own way of observing and drawing the human body, sharing the exercises, techniques, and prompts that make up their personal practice. Think of it as a chance to draw alongside an artist you admire and learn how they see.
For our inaugural class, we’re thrilled to welcome Daniel Toretsky, an artist, teacher, exhibit designer, architect, and prolific sketcher. Daniel has a rigorous drawing practice and can often be found sketching wherever he goes, making him the perfect artist to kick off the series.
Daniel will guide us through a series of figure drawing exercises using a live model, sharing his approach to observation, gesture, proportion, and capturing the human form. The class is open to all skill levels, whether you draw regularly or haven’t picked up a pencil in years.
Our Figure Drawing series will be a little more relaxed than our usual Kiki & Bouba workshops, with a slightly larger group and plenty of time to draw. Light refreshments including wine and tea will be served during a mid-workshop break. Come ready to loosen up, experiment, and spend an evening drawing together.
Materials Provided:
Drawing paper
Pencil
Live figure model
Light refreshments
You’re also welcome to bring your own favorite sketchbook or drawing materials...in fact, we highly recommend it!
What You’ll Leave With:
A collection of figure drawings and studies made throughout the evening
New figure drawing exercises and approaches to incorporate into your own practice
A better understanding of Daniel’s approach to observing and drawing the human body
Hopefully, a renewed desire to keep drawing!
About the Instructor: Daniel Toretsky is an artist, teacher, exhibit designer, and licensed architect based in Brooklyn, New York.
Originally from Washington, DC, Daniel holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University and an MFA in Design and Technology from Parsons, The New School. He is currently an adjunct professor at Parsons, where he teaches Exhibition Design and Design Dichotomies.
Daniel is also a 3D Exhibit Designer at the American Museum of Natural History and a founding partner of DAMN Studio LLC, a design agency specializing in immersive storytelling. Alongside his professional work, Daniel maintains a dedicated sketching practice, drawing from observation wherever he goes. We’ve long admired his work and are so excited to have him inaugurate this series.
About the Figure Drawing Series: Each month, Kiki & Bouba will invite a new guest artist to take over our studio and teach figure drawing through their own lens. No two classes will be exactly alike. Each artist will bring their own exercises, methods, materials, and way of looking at the human body, giving us all the opportunity to learn from a range of artists and drawing practices.
About Kiki and Bouba Craft Lab: Kiki and Bouba is an experimental craft lab run out of our private studio in East Williamsburg. Artists ourselves, we spend our days tinkering so we can bring you exciting, new crafts and creative practices you won't find just anywhere.
What to Expect: This series is a little different from our usual workshops. Figure Drawing nights are intentionally more relaxed and will have a slightly larger group than our typical classes. Expect a welcoming, social evening centered around drawing, observation, experimentation, and learning directly from an artist whose practice we admire. All experience levels are welcome.
Refund Policy: Kiki & Bouba Craft Lab is a small, artist-run studio led by just the two of us, Adrianna and Zolzaya. Every ticket directly supports the materials, space, fees, artist and model costs, and care that go into each workshop. Because of this, all ticket purchases are final and non-refundable, so we encourage you to book thoughtfully. If you’re unable to attend, you’re welcome to pass your spot along to a friend. Just email us at kikiandboubacraftlab@gmail.com so we can update the registration.
Photography & Video Notice: We take photos and videos at our workshops for promotional use. By purchasing a ticket, you consent to being recorded and potentially featured in future marketing materials. If you prefer not to be included, please let us know in writing prior to your class. Thank you so much!
Please Note: This class includes a live figure model and two glasses of wine per guest. Alcohol will only be served to guests 21+ with valid ID. Participants will receive a liability waiver by email before the class begins, required to be completed prior to class. Please arrive on time so we can begin the first drawing session together.