Life Drawing

What is Life Drawing?
Life Drawing, also called Figure drawing is drawing the naked human form. Life Drawing has always been the cornerstone of artistic training, but is also popular with amateur as well as professional artists. The figure presents many technical problems – form, structure, foreshortening and so on – so is wonderful training, and also allows the artist to display their skill. But the nude figure also allows the artist to express a great deal about human nature. Stripped of the cultural baggage of clothing, the nude figure can express every aspect of humanity, from the heroic to the pathetic. So, when you attend a life drawing class, you are participating in a centuries-old artistic tradition.

Overcoming Shyness
There’s no need to feel shy or embarrassed at your life drawing class. Professional models are used to posing nude and being observed by the artist.. Poses should always be tasteful, You’ll find that you are soon so focussed on the problems of drawing the body as a collection of lines or values that you’ll forget any awkwardness about nudity.
What You’ll Need
You will need a drawing board ( also an easel if you have one if not you can improvise with a chair), and paper (usually large, inexpensive newsprint – for starters), charcoal, a eraser, and perhaps bulldog clips to hold your paper – but this may vary depending on the class, so check materials requirements when you enrol. Make sure you have plenty of paper. Its also handy to have some wipes or a rag to clean your hands, Some classes will provide easels.
Your First Class
Make sure you arrive on time to make the most of your class, and so you don’t disturb others. You’ll also feel more relaxed if you have time to chat with the others. Most life drawing classes commence with some quick warm-up sketches. Then they may do some longer five to fifteen minute poses. You may find that you are unable to complete a drawing at first. You’ll soon learn how much detail you can include for different length poses.
After the model has had a break, you will probably do some longer poses – thirty minutes or longer. Sometimes a class may do a very long pose, with a break in the middle.
Showing Your Work
Don’t be shy about showing your work, no matter how terrible you think it is you may get suggestions on ways to improve.
Remember than everyone was a beginner once, and that you can all learn from each other’s mistakes – and often even a beginner’s work has many wonderful qualities that can be enjoyed, as well. Try to offer constructive thoughts about other students’ work.