Educational marathon
Human.
From portrait to figure
8 weeks of practice with Azat Nurgaleev: portrait sketches, anatomy, imagery and expressive figure drawings
Marathon grand prizeKamvas Pro 20 (2019)
Professional Huion pen-display for full immersion in the creative process. 16.7 million colors with 120% sRGB deliver true-to-life realism.
The beginner artist’s deadlock
What the marathon gives
In 8 weeks you’ll walk the path from portrait sketches to longer figure drawings — from simple to complex, reinforcing theory with practice
Plastic anatomy
Understand the structure of head, hands, feet and the whole figure — draw consciously, not just copy
Compositional thinking
Learn to compose shapes and build expressive sheets that attract the viewer’s eye
Imagery and emotions
Stop copying — start creating character and mood in each work
Living sketch
Focus on rhythm, movement and proportion. Not complex rendering, but liveliness and expression
Who this marathon is for
Beginner and advanced artists and illustrators who want to lay a solid foundation in figure drawing
Beginner artists
Want to learn to draw people from scratch — from the first stroke to a full figure
Advanced artists
Want to deepen anatomy knowledge and reach a new level of expression
Illustrators
Want to confidently draw characters and figures for your projects
Every week
Two sessions — theory and practice
Lecture and practice
Azat draws live — shows the process, explains decisions and gives an assignment for the week
Independent work
You draw according to the assignment, apply new knowledge and prepare your work for review
Feedback stream
Review of participants’ works live — for the "Feedback from Azat" tier
See your progress
Each week — a new topic, a new skill. Over 8 weeks — tangible growth from simple to complex
Format: each lesson includes theory, examples review and practical assignment. Work in digital or traditional media — in whichever technique suits you.
Marathon program
8 weeks — from portrait to figure, from simple to complex
Every week: lecture (Tuesday 21:55) and feedback stream (Saturday 21:00)
Portrait sketches
We learn how to compose a portrait on a sheet, work in large spots and look for character from the first strokes.
Eyes, lips, nose, ear
We analyze the design and plasticity of each element of the face — from simplified shapes to expressive details.
Portrait
Putting it together: proportions, light, character. Drawing a completed portrait with a mood
The hands
The hands are the most expressive part of the figure after the face. Construction, camera angles, gestures
Feet
We analyze the device of the foot, learn how to draw from different angles and positions.
Sketches of a female figure
We capture the plasticity and rhythm of the female figure through quick sketches — from 30 seconds to 5 minutes.
Sketches of the male figure
We work with the male figure: mass, structure, dynamics. Emphasis on big movement
Figure
Final week: long-term figure drawing with attention to anatomy, proportions and details
Free marathon materials
Register and get a preparation kit — a video lesson from Azat and his signature brush set
Video lesson from Azat
Azat explains composition rules for figure drawing: how to arrange the work on the sheet, make the silhouette expressive, and guide the viewer’s eye.
Azat’s brush set
The author’s brush set that Azat uses in his work. Compatible with Procreate — download and start drawing right now.
Marathon host
Azat Nurgaleev
Artist, founder and ideologist of Skills Up School
Graduate of the Stieglitz Academy of Art and Industry, Communicative Design. Drawing the human figure became the main theme in Azat’s work back in the academy.
Drawing mentor — A.S. Spitsin. Additional painting courses with S.P. Mosevich. Teaches drawing fundamentals since the third year at the academy. Trained thousands of students — from beginners to advanced level.
Works at the intersection of traditional and digital art — from academic drawing to bold stylization. With the team, created the comic "Stars" in an edition of 1000 copies.
"In the marathon I want to show how to draw a human — from the first stroke to a full figure. Without tedium, with practice every week."
Azat’s works
Tariffs
Choose a suitable participation format. Marathon has started!
Participation
Access to all lectures and practical assignments
- Participation in the marathon for all 8 weeks
- Access to lectures live on Tuesdays
- Practical tasks every week
- Access to lecture recordings
- Promo codes from Skills Up School and Huion
With feedback from Azat
For those who want to know and fix their own mistakes
- Everything from the "Participation" tariff
- Personal feedback from Azat every week
- Reviewing your work on the stream on Saturdays
- Error correction and individual recommendations
- Priority support throughout the marathon
Participant bonuses
Marathon partner — Huion
Grand prize
Huion graphic tablet — for the best participant by marathon results
Huion promo codes
Special discounts on Huion graphic tablets for marathon participants
School promo codes
Discounts on Skills Up School drawing and digital graphics courses
Get materials for free
Video lesson "Composition in figure" and Azat’s brush set — free upon registration