Alex Huneycutt’s curriculum for the

Solo Artist

A curriculum built for self-taught artists looking for structure and direction.

Full credit goes to Alex Huneycutt (RadioRunner), who originally posted this curriculum to Reddit in 2019

This curriculum is based on Alex Huneycutt’s FREE curriculum, which can be downloaded directly from his Gumroad page.

This is only the free content he provides from Term 1 to Term 2. The rest can be accessed for $12 directly from his Gumroad page.

Table of Contents

  • 1.1 Drawing Basics

    1.2 Figure Drawing I

    1.3 Perspective I

    1.4 Head Anatomy I

    1.5 Perspective II

    1.6 Figure Drawing II

  • 2.1 Composition & Storytelling I

    2.2 Figure Drawing III

    2.3 Head Anatomy II

    2.4 Perspective III

    2.5 Color & Light I

Certified Advice

by moderndayjames

"Make sure that you're learning is balanced, and takes you where you want to go.

Your art journey is similar to learning music: if you only learn the scales and theory, then you understand the rules. But that doesn't mean you can make enjoyable music from what you know. At the same time, if you don't know any rules of music, you may just be making trash.

There's middle ground in there, where you know just enough to get you to where you want to go, while still breaking boundaries and exploring cool things spontaneously (like accidentally playing a modal scale in a different key).

So - if you only learn the rules of your art, you won't know how to explor it creatively. If you only focus on creative exploration, you won't learn how to create effectively within the rules of your artform."

Play with child-like wonder

Do what pleases you from time to time, and draw what you like. Practice composition, new techniques, and new mediums. Explore what you learn with personal projects.

observe like a painter

Sculpt your images. Practice shape design (painting, expressive pencil drawing). Watch and listen to Marco Bucci and Sinix to learn more.

think like a draftsman

Balance the rest by studying hard principles to elevate your creative exploration. Watch and listen to Scott Robertson, Feng Zhu, and Kim Jung Gi to learn more.

Navigating the curriculum

The curriculum is based on the struture of Marc Brunet's "ARTSchool", so if you like it you may want to check out his own course.


Overall however, the Solo Artist curriculum has a much higher emphasis on

Perspective and Draftsmanship.

You may find the subject material from unit to unit seemingly random. This is by design - so that you don't go mad drilling perspective for 2 months at a time.

If you want to swap a unit or term around, feel free to do so. This is merely a guide for a structural approach to self-teaching.

The intended purpose is to balance a foundation of technical perspective and creative learning, so that you may learn to draw anything from imagination.

the curriculum

Term 1

Spend 4 weeks on each unit.

For example:

4 weeks spent on 1.1

4 weeks spent on 1.2

and so on.

If you don’t complete the unit within 4 weeks, finish whatever you’re in the middle of learning and move on to the next one.

Term 2

Spend 4 weeks on each unit.

For example:

4 weeks spent on 2.1

4 weeks spent on 2.2

and so on.

If you don’t complete the unit within 4 weeks, finish whatever you’re in the middle of learning and move on to the next one.

  • Introduction to Composition

    As an artist, you are also a composer. Your choice of arrangement, framing, gesture, contrast and so much more all play a role in creating effective art.

    Without it, you simply create a collection of sketches.

    In this unit, unlock some of the secrets to creating effective imagery.

    Alex Huneycutt's Composition & Storytelling I Playlist

    Assignment:

    Watch Sycra’s video on “Iterative Drawing”.

    Make attempts at picking a subject matter, and attempt drawing it in different ways and angles. Pick 2 subjects and try 10 variations for each.

    Alternative Material:

    PAID: Schoolism - Drawing Fundamentals with Thomas Fluharty

    PAID: SVSLearn - Creative Composition 2.0

    Note:

    It can be difficult to understand how to make your own compositions when just starting out. Some tips - take a simple photo reference and try composing it in a different way. Or refer to this DeviantArt challenge.

  • The Constructive + Reilly Method

    Begin developing maturation in your figure studies through the Reilly method and advanced construction.

    As you continue to practice, you will find a finesse for angles and flow of the figure. Combine this with ability to mannequin-ize, and you’re on your way to posing from the imagination.

    Alex Huneycutt’s Figure Drawing III Playlist

    Assignment

    Draw 25 figures using the Reilly method.

    Pose 25 figures from imagination and construct them using simple forms.

    Alternative Material

    PAID BOOK: Figure Drawing: Design and Invention by Michael Hampton

    PAID CLASS: Brainstorm FIG1

    Note:

    The Reilly method may seem strange at first, but it has a lot of great rhythms you can internalize to help with figure drawing. When it’s all said and done, learning all these different methods serve as different tools in your arsenal to help build your style and technique over time.

  • The Planes of the Head

    Are you ready to level-up your faces in a way you never knew you could? The planes of the head are the key to lighting your own character faces from imagination, and instilling real structure.

    Alex Huneycutt’s Head Anatomy II - Planes of the Head

    Assignment:

    Draw 50 Asaro heads from different angles using Sketchfab.

    Draw 25 faces from reference, adding the planes onto the reference.

    Alternative Material:

    PAID: Understanding & Painting the Head with Marco Bucci

    Skillshare Link

    Note:

    If possible, I highly recommend taking Marco Bucci’s head course. He isolates and runs through each individual part of the face, from the brow and forehead to mandible and lips.

  • Drawabox Lessons 6 through 7

    Here’s where things start to get good - test your perspective skills by drawing man-made objects and vehicles.

    This is an extension of the techniques taught in the book, “How to Draw”, by Scott Robertson.

    Drawabox Lessons 6 through 7

    Assignment:

    Do the provided assignments on Drawabox.com.

    Note:

    I recommend reading over Drawabox’s blog post going over how to use “How to Draw” appropriately. This stuff can be difficult when first starting out, but going through the effort will pay dividends in your perspective accuracy down the line.

  • Foundations of Light and Shadow

    Learn the fundamentals of shading forms, and the principles behind shadow projection.

    The importance of this stuff cannot be understated. Learning this thoroughly will make everything from pencil and pen drawings, to color painting easier down the road.

    Alex Huneycutt’s Color & Light I - Value Playlist

    Assignment:

    Follow along with every video in the Youtube Playlist.

    If you’re feeling confident, do some personal drawings and studies practicing the methods demonstrated.

    Alternative Material:

    PAID BOOK: Framed Perspective Vol. 2: Technical Drawing for Shadows, Volume and Characters by Marcos Mateu-Mestre

    PAID BOOK: How to Render by Scott Robertson

    Note:

    Shading is also called “rendering”. You can practice rendering by doing still life drawings, or studies of anything you want. It’s usually easiest to start with things most like primitives.

What’s next?

Alex Huneycutt offers the rest of this curriculum directly from his Gumroad page, which can be accessed for just $12 by clicking the button below.