10am on a midweek morning sitting at eye level with a stranger’s penis – this wasn’t my average Wednesday.
Arriving back at Guppy’s Enterprise Club I was there to try my third new thing in the week at the amazing space. This time I was having a go at Life drawing. Just to confirm, I was the sketcher not the model – although maybe that’s a future new thing to try?!
Previous Drawing Experience
I have always enjoyed drawing, but I’m not very good at it, There are perhaps a handful of my scribblings which have turned out how I had hoped, but mostly I get frustrated that the image on the paper doesn’t match the one in my mind. If you’ve seen any of my previous attempts, such as when I tried to draw a caricature, you’ll know the low level of my talent!
I didn’t have high hopes for the output from the life drawing class, but I was looking forward to giving it a go.
The Set Up
The friendly organiser welcomed me to the class and suggested a seat which was slap bang opposite the model.
Despite being a city, York does have a bit of a feel of a village. There was part of me that wondered whether I would know the model and that could potentially have been a bit awkward. As it was, I didn’t recognise him.
Chairs were dotted in a semi circle around the drafty room. Thankfully, a fan heater faced the chair and cushions where the model posed. There weren’t any easels, instead people either just used their lap, or rested a board on the back of the chair infront of them.
Materials were not provided, so I had taken along a couple of pencils and some very basic paper. Other artists had pastels, coloured paper, and sketch pads. It was simply a case of take along whatever you want to use.
The Warm Up
We were straight into it with three warm up exercises. Our model adopted three very dynamic poses, which thankfully he only had to hold for five minutes at a time. The room hushed as eyes surveyed the pose and pencils flowed across paper capturing the form.
I got scribbling and warmed my hands up for drawing. I really enjoyed the speed element and not having long to think about what I was doing.
That very first image gave me a great indication of where I either needed to pay more attention or gloss over certain things.
Having A Go At Life Drawing - Not The Greatest Art Work!
I discovered I can’t draw hands and feet, and my proportions were not very good. This was a great first lesson. I could either have beat myself up about it, or, what I did instead was decide to use artistic license on the hands and feet, so didn’t really draw them at all and just added a few indicating lines.
Unfortunately, during one of the five minute activities, I somehow created a neanderthal ghost. It was definitely a human I was looking at, but I got so fixated with trying to draw his face that I ended up giving him a deep set eye and rather primitive features. Thankfully nobody walked around to see how we were getting on, and nobody asked to see our results. Phew!
Twenty Minute Activity
A twenty minute activity followed the warm up. Our model found a more comfortable position for this one
Having longer gave us the opportunity to explore. Whilst a girl next to me was exploring different colours and mediums, I was exploring paying attention, I tried really hard to observe exactly what was infront of me and capture it in a realistic way.
I got to a point where I didn’t want to add any more to my piece as I felt I might ruin where I had got to. Using the remaining time I focused on attempting to draw a hand. I really really tried to pay attention to it and draw something good, but somewhere along the way from my eyes to my hand, the image got lost in translation and it ended up looking like a child had drawn it.
So I decided I wouldn’t even bother attempting to draw hands and feet for the rest of the session.
Coffee Break
About an hour into the morning, the model got dressed and we all headed downstairs for a break and a chat.
Whilst there wasn’t an enforced silence during the drawing, everyone was so engrossed in their own sketches that the actual class was naturally quiet.
It was really nice getting to speak to some of the regulars who ranged in age from students to retirees, and had been attending for different durations.
Final Part Of The Session - Having A Go At Life Drawing
We returned upstairs for the second half of the class. The model got undressed and I resisted the urge to ask him to keep his socks on – that would have made drawing his feet much easier!
For the final activity, our model posed for 40 minutes. I really paid attention to the proportions. What lined up with his ear? Were his knees positioned at the same height? Where did the top of the stool sit in relation to his torso? It made me slow down and really pay attention to what was infront of me.
It was so frustratingly strange how I found I was drawing what I thought I could see, rather than what I could actually see. So, I could see the model was sitting on a chair. What I didn’t seem to be able to see, was where his knees were in relation to his shoulders, or where his ear lined up with his eyes, or where the chair was visible beneath his armpit. This needed focus.
Time flew by as I was fully immersed in what I was doing and completely concentrating. By the end, I had drawn a sketch that was not too shabby.
Why I Loved The Untutored Structure
I really liked the fact there was no teaching, and there was no show and tell. It was a very personal and private art session despite sharing it with others. Of course we could glance over to see what the person next to us was doing, but there was nothing official in displaying our art.
Whilst I have no doubt that feedback and advice from a tutor is beneficial, what would probably have happened is that I’d have beaten myself up over their words. Instead, in this situation I was beating myself up over my own lines and scribbles. I could recognise that things looked a bit off or out of proportion or naff, and so I tried to find ways to improve, and that brought an incredible sense of achievement.
Why You Should Try Life Drawing
This is a great activity to try if you’re looking for something mindful to do. Whilst I was so busy drawing and trying to capture the model, I didn’t have time to think about the outside world and the busyness of my brain.
If you like to see evidence of your developing talents, life drawing is well worth a go. The process of learning through doing meant I could see incremental improvements throughout the morning.
If you enjoy self discovery, having a go at life drawing might be up your street. I enjoyed being my own critic, analysing my drawings and idenitfying what I could do in an attempt to make more visually pleasing art.
I Really Enjoyed Having A Go At Life Drawing
I’m not very good at it, but I enjoyed the process of learning. It just happened that the model was naked. I am also very fond of my terrible neanderthal picture, it makes me laugh so much!
Want To Try It Yourself?
This particular life drawing class I took part in was at Guppy’s Enterprise Club.
Have a look on eventbrite for sessions near you.
- Take a look to see if there are any art classes in your local area too.
Cost Of Experience
- The particular class I went to cost £5, plus an additional £5 which went to the model. Refreshments at the break were an optional extra cost.
- Prices will vary depending on when and where you find a class to go along to.
Recommendations
- Check what is included before you go – no equipment was provided for the class I went to, so find out if you need to take your own materials.
- If you are looking for an instructed session with hints and tips and guidance, do check before you go along. My class was a very welcoming and relaxed, untutoured session. I learnt lots, however, it may not be for everyone.
- Don’t worry if you mess it up, it’s only a piece of paper, just give it a go!
- Let me know if you do give it a go, I’d love to know how you get on.
I just came across your blog on Twitter (or shall we call it ‘X’ now?), and I’ve got to say, trying out 52 new things sounds like a wonderful, although rather ambitious, idea. Especially since you have been doing this for a while now – I think I’d run out of options in a fortnight. Nonetheless, just reading this post has already inspired me to be a little more adventurous in the future, so thank you for sharing!
Thanks Lena! I’m so glad you’re feeling inspired! You’re right though, it is getting more challenging each year. There are still so many things to try, but I like trying to find things to have a go at. Hope you have a wonderful rest of your week. Please do let me know what you get up to too! Sally :o)
Goodness me! This is the best blog post I’ve read this year so far! Seriously! So funny! I was deep into the narrative. I could feel myself right at the edge of my seat, waiting to know how this artistic journey was going to end. You sound like an artist talking, haha! Oh, I loved this adventure. Your drawings are quite good, I can’t even imagine how I would hold myself to draw a naked stranger! And without socks! It makes the task a lot more difficult. Oh my god, thank you so much for sharing this adventure with us. I can’t tell which drawing is my favourite – and I can clearly see an evolution there! I hope you’re framing these.
Thank you so much Vanessa! Ha ha! I’m glad you liked it, and you are very generous with your kind words! It’s made my day reading this comment! I think ‘evolution’ is a great way of describing it! I’m not sure about framing them, but they are definitely keepers! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. Sally :o)