Life Drawing and Figure Art

Going to Figure Drawing Class.

1 Written by Figure Drawing on June 5, 2009 – 9:41 pm

Figure drawing class is a great experience.  For both beginners and experienced artists it is a great way to both extend your craft and meet others with the same interest in drawing.

Many professional artist’s consider it a mandatory part of their regular training. For the hobby artist it may seem a little overwhelming at first.  Rest assured that the people in your classes are mostly hobby artist’s as well. Enjoying a relaxing and meditative process. They were new at one time as well.

Conte Drawing of Nude Women

What You’ll Need:

Most classes will provide easels and drawing boards, and you’ll need to bring paper (usually large, inexpensive ‘butcher’s paper’ – newsprint – for starters), charcoal, a knead-able eraser, and perhaps bulldog clips to hold your paper – but this may vary depending on the class, so check materials requirements when you enroll. Make sure you have plenty of paper. I recommend Dick Blick or Mister Art for your figure drawing supplies because you can find anything you need online. Its also handy to have some wipes or a rag to clean your hands, and a snack.

What to Expect:

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.

The model will be naked. You must get past this if you are to succeed at figure drawing. One of the best ways to get past the idea that you are looking at a nude is to start drawing right away. Then the problems of line, light, structure and composition will take over and you will almost for get that there is another person in the room.
Types of Classes:

Tuition – This recommended for the beginner. You should take a class with Tuition and a real teacher who will help you to get better. You will learn proper etiquette and different approaches from an experienced teacher who is their to make sure you learn something. The teacher will also have a lot more experience with the models and may even know them personally. This will keep the level of professionalism high and allow you to feel comfortable quite quickly. Most beginers will find that they are over this new experience and ready to learn within a half hour.

Close Up of Female Nude Model in Life Drawing Class at the Skowhegan School of the Arts Photographic Print - Mili, Gjon

Drop In – This is not recommended for the beginner. Every drop in has its good points and bad and if you are trying to learn its hard to get used to each groups way of doing things. Even experienced artist’s sometimes have a hard time working in a drop in environment because they have their own objectives and the group is not going to adapt.

Male Students Sketching Nude Female Model During Life Drawing Class at Skowhegan Art School Photographic Print - Elisofon, Eliot

Share your work with your teacher. You are looking for constructive feedback. If you do not share your work you will never get better. If you go to drop in, it is up to you if you share your work or not. Many students go, draw and leave without socializing. Some will share their work and socialize with the model.

If the model is interested in your drawing you should show them. It will help to create a rapport and allow you to get more and better poses from the model later.
Most importantly have fun. If you take it too seriously you will find your drawings lack flair and spontaneity.

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