Love the plates. Currently working on Plate 38.
New to Bargue Plates?
The "unc plates" are the Charles Bargue Drawing Course
A 19th-century classical drawing method studied by Van Gogh and Picasso recently rediscovered on social media. We offer high-resolution prints and PDF downloads so you can start the course yourself.
The Bargue Method
What are Bargue Plates?
Bargue Plates are reference drawings that comprise the influential 19th century 'Cours de Dessin', also known as the Charles Bargue Drawing Course. They were studied by renowned artists like Van Gogh and Picasso.
The Bargue Drawing Method, also known as the Bargue Technique, is a disciplined drawing approach emphasizing meticulous replication of these plates to hone observation skills and precision.
In contemporary art academies and ateliers, the Bargue Method is a core part of training, teaching students to master form, light, and shadow, essential for advanced classical art.
In the case of Picasso, this early formal training was arguably the foundation for him to break the rules and arrive at his own style.
Explore Part I. Drawings After Casts
Explore Part III. Preparation for Drawing Académies
See Every Stroke as Charles Bargue Originally Intended
We offer full-color high-quality prints of Bargue Plates in their full Original Size - 18" x 24" (465dpi) format or a proportionally scaled Two Thirds Size - 12" x 16" (700dpi) format.
Alternatively, study a downloadable and printable full-color JPEG or PDF - 6.75" x 9" (300dpi).
Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 5 / 5 from 32 reviews.
The value of having the plate as reference is so important. Every drawing encourages the next. After I finish a study I’ll pass the plate around in the studio. Thanks for making them available. Tc
Expanding my drawing capabilities into figurative drawing, i came across your plates through the book "Figure Dawing Atelier" by Juliette Aristides. Perusing your website is found this image that struck me. I will be choosing another of a male torso and then expanding into more challenging images. Here is my interpretation of your plate.
Bargue Plate 1, 64. Female Torso, Rear View (Torse de Femme, Vu de Dos)
Using the plates helps a lot
The plates help so much. I am building the complete library to share with the art classes. Thanks so much. They really help. Tc
Bargue Plate 1, 59. The Vatican Amazon, Draped (Amazone de Vatica, Drapée)
My first attempt at a Bargue plate, thank you to this website for providing educational resources for me and the class I teach!
I love that I can get a high quality digital file of any Bargue plate for only $1.00! Nothing costs $1.00 any more! I use them in my atelier teaching all the time. Thanks Bargue Plate Supply. From @thedavincistudios
Bargue Plate 1, 64. Female Torso, Rear View (Torse de Femme, Vu de Dos)
I ordered Bargue Plates 1 thru 10, and I have started on Plate 1 the eyes. My first eye was very easy to do, and the 12”x16” print really helped. I drew the first eye freehand, and then checked the measurements using plumb lines. I am very excited to be learning this style of drawing, and I am so happy to have found Bargue Plate Supply, who does the printing from 12”x16” all the way up to 18”x24”. It really makes it easy because trying to enlarge from the Ackerman book proved to be difficult. Thank you Gerard!!! I have sent the duplicate set of prints to the Director of The Columbus Cultural Arts Center.
Download quality was great. I was referred to your website by my instructor at The DaVinci studio.
I'm very much a beginner but really enjoyed the process of learning how to draw this Bargue plate. The download quality was great. For those looking to learn for this specific plate, there's a great instructional series on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6lCvz1IiW8&list=PL3aPoNPQSJnSJVw2_GUVR7jC0nbnksq6F
Bargue Plate 1, 23. Man's Arm, Bent (Bras d'homme, Ployé, Entérieur)
Using for my Atelier instruction at The DaVinci Studios
The best exercises ever!!
The image quality is superb, I will definitely buy them again for my future studies
Always wanted to draw like the Masters. I am learning patience with the slow technique/process. It is challenging to avoid smearing the charcoal. I am rather proud of myself. This photo is the shadow shape stage.
Bargue Plate 1, 24. Arm of Moses, by Michelangelo (Bras du Moïse de Michel-Ange)
I became interested in these plates after reading about Vincent Van Gogh using them as part of his artistic training. I first bought the course book on Amazon yet those plates were hard to copy. These plates come in the right size to copy as they were originally intended. I tried to get a local print shop to enlarge the plates from the book, yet that didn’t work. These plates were less inexpensive and more accurate than the print shop alternative. They also were delivered in a timely and well packaged manner. I think copying these plates will make much better at live figure drawing.
Quick shipping and great print quality!
Beautiful prints! Thanks so much!
Just received my 5 Bargue Plates and they are fabulous! Very happy!
Convenient
Bargue Plate 1, 8. The Foot of the Medici Venus (Pied de la Vénus de Médicis)
I really appreciate the high quality, and how it was free, these will be helpful in getting better at shading. I would note that you could make it easier to buy things in bulk quicker, perhaps adding packages to add to the cart, but otherwise I appreciate the honesty and quality of this little website. Have a good day!
Bargue Plate 1, 63. The Belvedere Torso, Front View (Le Torse du Belvédère, Vu de Face)
thank you, lovely prints!
Fantastic stuff!
The product is wonderful, but what truly touched me was your warm and kind support — it made me feel so grateful and happy.
Bargue Plate 1, 18. Arm of a Man, Vertical Position (Bras d'homme, Vertical)
Great Quality
This is a great reasonably priced resource!
Bargue Plate 1, 58. Milo of Crotone, by Pierre Puget (Milon de Crotone, de Pierre Puget)
These drawings are so precise that it will make teaching new students so much easier. This is needed to train the eye to see angles and form. Thank you for creating these plates!
Excellent reproduction.
Bargue Plate 1, 55. The Belvedere Torso, Rear View (Le Torse du Belvédère, Vu de Dos)
Good although I’d like higher quality resultion For digital print
Bargue Plate 1, 63. The Belvedere Torso, Front View (Le Torse du Belvédère, Vu de Face)
EXCELLENT REPRODUCTION.
Bargue Plate 1, 41. The Capitoline Ariadne (Ariane du Capitole). Three-Quarter View
Beautiful reproduction, excellent service.
Bargue Plate 1, 7. The Foot of the Gladiator (Pied du Gladiateur)
These drawings are an inspiration to me as I strive to learn more about drawing the human body
Bargue Plate 1, 60. Male Torso, Three-Quarter View (Torse d'homme, Vu de Trois Quarts)
Bargue Plate 1, 40. Julia Mammaea (Julia Mamea)