Building Form with Reductive Drawing A 3-day Workshop with Savannah Tate Cuff

This three-day portrait workshop introduces artists to the reductive method—a process that starts with a toned ground and builds form by erasing and pulling out light, rather than only adding dark marks. This approach emphasizes clarity of value and structure, helping artists see the portrait as an interplay of light and shadow rather than just lines.

The workshop begins Friday evening with a class demonstration, followed by two sustained portrait poses over Saturday and Sunday. Participants will work step by step, starting with a flat block-in and gradually modeling form under a single light source. Along the way, instruction will cover anatomy, proportions, and composition, with live demos and individualized critiques to reinforce learning.

Key Topics include:

• Reductive vs. additive drawing methods
• Structure of the head and accurate proportion
• Modeling form with light and shadow
• Designing effective compositions

Workshop Schedule

Friday, 6pm - 10pm

Saturday, 10am - 5pm

Sunday, 10pm - 5pm

Level of Study: Open to all levels, this workshop is an opportunity to sharpen your observational skills, deepen your understanding of value, and explore how reductive drawing can bring portraits to life with nuance and depth.

AREA ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THOSE TRAVELING TO ATTENDFor those traveling to Cincinnati to attend this visiting artist workshop, there are many exciting or practical options for accommodations. For a special stay within a mile of Manifest's new facility, we would recommend checking with The Clifton House Bed & Breakfast* (https://thecliftonhouse.com), or The Gaslight Bed & Breakfast (https://www.gaslightbb.com). Alternatively, the 21c Museum Hotel is in the heart of downtown just four miles from our location (link). Many other common hotels are within a few miles of our location as well. Those who are new to Cincinnati may want to arrive a day early and take in the Cincinnati Art Museum and Taft Museum of Art.

LOCATION: Unless otherwise specified, all courses are hosted at Manifest's new facility at 'M1' in Clifton at 3464 Central Parkway (see map and directions below). Manifest's new facility provides multiple studio classrooms, private lesson space, a darkroom, a film processing room, and a multi-purpose lecture and class meeting space as well as on-site parking, grounds, and exterior spaces in which to relax, discuss, and make art. The studios are outfitted with professional equipment, furniture, and study aids.