Life Drawing Sessions

The gallery is pleased to offer life drawing sessions in partnership with the Nipissing University Fine Arts department for you to practice your figure drawing skills alongside other artists within our community. All are welcome to join in drawing sessions regardless of your experience or skill level—we are here to have fun and learn from each other!

 

Life drawing refers to the practice of observing and rendering the human figure. Traditionally, life drawing is done with a live, nude model. Life drawing has been a large part of the traditional training of artists in the Western world since the Renaissance. The practice continues to be important to artists of today as the human figure remains one of the most enduring subjects in the visual arts. A clothed live-model will be posing for artists in various positions and time-limits for two hours each session.

 

 

This is a BYOS (Bring Your Own Supplies) event! A selection of drawing boards, benches and chairs will be provided thanks to Nipissing Fine Arts. Artists should bring whatever mediums speak to them. Mark-making tools could include graphite/charcoal pencils, graphite/charcoal sticks, conté sticks, coloured pastels, coloured pencils, pens, or even wet mediums such as inks or watercolours. Drawing surfaces would include large pads of newsprint, cartridge paper, sketch books, or high-quality sheets of paper (Stonehenge). Other tools to remember are hard/kneaded erasers, blending stomps/smudging tools, and a sharpener/sharpening knife.

 

 

A clothed live-model will be posing for artists in various positions and time-limits for two hours each session. Spaces are determined on a first-come first-serve basis with a $10 cash entry fee at the door. Artists are encouraged to arrive early to secure their spot and set up their station.

While procedures may be subject to change each session, here is what artists can expect from each session:

1. We will warm up with at least 5 minutes of quick gesture drawings. Gesture drawing poses are fast-paced, lasting only 30 seconds each to activate and challenge obersational skills, focused on capturing the essential movement and essence of the model. 

2. Moving into a few short drawings of 5-10 minute poses, artists are encouraged to continue with immeadiate mark-making, but focused on capturing more accurate proportions and definition of the model. 

3. A 20 minute pose will propose artists to study the model with more accuracy and intent, engaging in higher detail and accruacy in the proportions and rendering of the figure; perhaps introducing more definitions of light and shadow. 

4. Finally, a 60 minute long pose will put all previous practice to use in what should be a thorough representation of the model. Artists are encouraged to take careful consideration and patience with their drawing for what be the most detailed and accurate rendering of the model. 

 

 

Life drawing sessions are scheduled to take place on Saturdays at the WKP Kennedy Gallery from 2:00 - 4:00pm.

March 4th - 2:00 - 4:00 pm - WKP Kennedy Gallery (150 Main St W)

April 1st - 2:00 - 4:00 pm - WKP Kennedy Gallery (150 Main St W)

May 6th - 2:00 - 4:00 pm - WKP Kennedy Gallery ( 150 Main St W) 

 

We are excited to draw with you all!