I love figure drawing from life (as opposed to photo reference) though I usually work from photo due to necessity.

Here are some masters that I admire for their technical chops: Francois Boucher (the man reaching out and the winged man) and Charles Bargue (woman’s face). They’re both well known for working in the French Academic style.

My drawings are on the second row, I work more by eye than with the formulaic aplomb of these skilled academics but I admire them nonetheless.