Life drawing classes!
 

I had a look through the searches and couldn't find appropriate information. My question, for portrait poses from a model, how long are the sessions (20 minutes?) and what poses, lighting is best? How would I arrange, say, a 4 hour session?

I had read the threads here and also photographing section, but is there certain principles to allow the models to promote better features to draw and paint from? From experienced models to people off the street? What paperwork do I need for them to sign before I can draw them?

If it is at night, what is the best possible lighting to have ceiling lighting or is it best to have mobile lighting to produce better drawing/paintings (rembrandt lighting)? I agree that natural lighting is best, but for life classes this is not totally suitable. Any suggestions?

Dear Ngaire,

Typically, the life drawing sessions I am familiar with are in three- hour spans, with the models on for 20-25 minutes, off for 5 minutes, throughout the session. I don't know whether four hours will work with the model, but as a painter I could happily go five hours. I tell my students that the most important person in the room isn't the student, isn't me, it's the model: If the model ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Keep the model comfortable, and able to break.

In a group session, the model has to be on an elevated stand, 18"-24" works well. And one person has to be in control of what hppens. Everyone has to be able to see. Ceiling lights do not work. You will need movable directional lighting ( see the many threads on lighting)

Set up the light and model before starting, then you must (well you should) go to every artist's position, to see if the view is adequate.

Ngaire, go into the Open Studio threads to search for etiquette, etc. Otherwise, mayhem might ensue.

Chris Saper

Thanks Chris!
 

I went and had a look in the Open Studio but I couldn't find the answer. For poses, is there set angles that work best, how should I direct the model after each 20 min session. I am trying to go for natural lighting but might have to contend with night time so I will look into mobile lighting. Poses away, looking straight, not smiling, closed eyes, hands, what direction for the model? Change of clothing, on/off?

Ngaire,

Click here for the thread on Open Studio etiquette.

Another couple, on helping the model pose, the twenty-minute "rule", and various tips on studio set-up.

Much of the discussion of lighting your subject in preparation for taking reference photographs is useful as well for life drawing. You

Great Help!
 

Steven, once again thank you for explaining it beautifully. I had already read most of the ones you suggested, but I will go back and reread them in case I missed valuable information and thanks again for being so descriptive. Now for some more questions.

I am trying to figure out how I can get model/s for practice and possible paintings for a portfolio. Lon Haverly's idea of going into a mall sounds good, but I feel my level is not up to that yet. Besides they want entertainers/temporary exhibitors to have $15 million Liability Insurance before you can even be looked at, this costs around $500 annually I think. Way out of my league at present.

If I had to ask people in the street, or put an ad in the local paper, how would I go about it? I don't know if I could get any other artists in the district to come in for life classes but I was hoping somehow to place an advertisement for models and maybe an open studio to get started here. My family do not live close to me they are hours away and I don't have any close friends to ask to be models, except for my teenager son, who is impatient to say the least.

I rang and spoke to an artist group in Toowoomba for relevant information but the guy didn't devulge much. He just suggested that they have Wednesday night sessions, and that I could go to them but this is 70 klms away, being a single mother etc etc, I just can't get to them.

My main concern was, if I placed an ad, I don't want to get into trouble of going about it the wrong way, as small towns are very talkative and touchy. So maybe dressed models for head/shoulder studies, other than nudes. I want to start and keep a professional image at all times. So maybe suggestions of attracting the model, working with the model, sketching the model, photographing the model for later references, and paperwork (I have redesigned a release agreement to the ones on this forum but have not added anything about photographing the model for painting references on it)?How could I write this in?

Have you have similar experiences with this situation or similar problems, and how would you suggest I go about it professionally in a small town?

This district will be my income later so what I want to develop at this stage, is all part of the big plan later. Small towns and the small town gossip could start or break my future career. Any suggestions?

Just kind of fossicking around in the aftermath of the database dirge-almost . . .

Certainly in your circumstances forego the "nude figure" aspect. That not only would be counterproductive (who would ever go for it, in your special circumstance??), but also isn't necessary. A person (male/female, young/old) who will sit for 5 or 6 20-minute sessions, for a head-and-shoulders drawing or pastel skectch or painting, at $XX per hour, is what you need. Don't worry about "optimum" conditions right now, just start and don't quit.

Must keep this short for now. Have to see what else is going on on the "new" Forum . . . some of which even I'm having trouble navigating.

Thanks for popping in Steven. Yes, you are right. I neeeeed models. It is so frustrating wanting to get into it but to go about it professionally is a better approach in this small town.

If I go up and ask someone, is there a catch line that works better. Hi, your face would be great to paint, would you like to attend a studio session (oops, I don't have one, but I do have sort of a studio -the first corner of one anyway- it is the hallway with easel/art stuff measuring 6'8" by 6', (did I mention we walk through the middle of it to get to the rest of the house, it is better than the kitchen table though). Since my place isn't too impressive, should I sketch them at their house or at a park? Only 5 people in the town have actually seen my "hall studio", I am a bit of a recluse.

If I sketch and take photos, does the release agreement have to have an added bit for photos?

Stepping into the right direction
 

Things are improving around here. I have arranged community workshops of many varieties as I have local and regional towns to work with and small populations. I have taken three to four months to organise a series of craft and of course, life model workshops. I had a successful first workshop today as an unpaid community volunteer coordinator. It was a tutored life drawing workshop with two nude models(male/female) that came from a city 1 and a half hours away. I had 15 people turn up from towns all over in this region from as far as 100 kilometres or around 65 miles. Four are local artists. I of course get to draw for free which suits my budget. I am hoping to organise this workshop without the tutor next time at least once a month. The venue I used is big and accommodating for this amount of people with table/chairs and a few easels. Originally going to be 30 metres by 8 metres to use, but I was only allowed to use about 15 x 8 metres of room space for these workshops. This venue is reasonably priced.

Apparently there has not been nude models in this region for around two years. That is certainly going to change if I can get the numbers on a regular basis of once a month.

Wait... there's more

Well I don't know how I did it but I secured a room by the local Town Council for free, it is a room the size of a large bedroom and suitable for about 6 sitting artists with no easels.

I have coaxed a few artists from beginners to intermediate skill to come together on a Wednesday night to do Kimon Nicolaides exercises from the todays workshop hopefully. We will each take a turn for half hour sittings overall a 2 hour night or so of drawing from life (clothed of course). I think I might have three to four interested so far. I am hoping to start our first day on the 19 May.

All in all, things are really starting to improve. Still no job yet, but hey yoou never know what is around the next corner.

Congratulations on your successes, Ngaire. This determination you show even in the most challenging circumstances will take you far.

Good work!
 

Way to go, Ngaire!

Hi Ngaire,

I love how you are making things happen in your community. You are a person of drive, determination and energy. Please post photos of your setup when you find the time. I'm proud to have met you on this Forum.

Thanks Michelle and Julie.

Sometimes you have to make a start and see where it will lead.

I have opened the door and now hope that these small towns and their people will open up their hearts and minds to at least unite on a monthly basis for life drawing. Here's hoping.

Thanks Linda I wasn't sure if I should have gone in the direction that I did, but I feel it was the right thing to do.

Someone at the workshop had a digital camera, so I should have some photos for the forum soon. I got so excited about it all that it was actually happening, I forgot to take one, even though I had an old automatic camera.

My easel fell over a couple of times, I tripped over the heaters when I went around giving everyone a baby wipe to wipe their charcoal hands with (after warm up exercises) as most forgot to bring a rag and basically ended up being the class clown, without wanting to. It made for a more comfortable start anyway, and loosened every one up before we got into the 30 minute drawings.

Next time I will hopefully settle down and concentrate better.

Here's proof!
 

Well I have just received the photos back for my first workshop. The first is the building, Abbey of the Roses. A little history:
Our Sisters of Mercy Convent - Our Lady of Assumption (now Abbey of the Roses) was built in 1893 from local freestone, cost approximately 12,000 pounds and was funded by the people of Warwick through an Art Union.

Photo 1: This building is now privately owned and is a Bed & Breakfast, Function Centre. The room that the workshop was in is the cathedral shaped leadlight windows on the far right, on the 1st floor. This room hasn't been renovated and is called the dormitory.

Photo 2: The workshop just starting. Artists came from all over the region as far as approx 130 miles away. That is me sitting down taking their particulars. (looking south) The Manager wouldn't let me shift their laundry and furniture as this is their storage room, so I had to share the space. I had the southern half and one side of the room.

Photo 3: Everyone getting ready for the warm up exercises. The model has the white sheet wrapped around him, ready to come into the middle to stand on the podium my 14 year old son, Jacob made me for Mother's Day. (Just the best present an artist mum could want) a 2x1.5 metres and 40cm high model stand. It was his first welding job and he made it over three weeks during his school Industrial tech class. (looking north)

It was a great day. We had two models, a couple (male and female).

I hope these photos come out in the right order. Here's hoping!

The next one is planned for 20 June.

I'm happy to see so many artists are involved in this, Ngaire, and your space is beautiful! These are interesting photos, and the convent is so lovely.

I've never drawn while sitting down in an Open Studio. I'm just wondering if you could push the podium up against the wall and let artists form a half-circle around the model. It would give everyone some room to stand back while drawing.

I'm very impressed that your young son can weld. Your comment is reminding me that I want to start a thread about podiums here on the Forum, and when I do I would like to see more information about how he made yours.

Yes Linda I was very lucky to talk the Abbey of the Roses into allowing us to use the room as it is a community project. If I asked them as a commercial operation say a studio, I doubt if I would have even got a hearing. The other choices of course weren't as nice as this, just old dance halls. This building is one of only a couple of sandstone buidings in our whole region. Believe me, there wasn't much to choose from. I was overwhelmed when they said yes, as I only asked out of a long shot and curiosity.

My son did a great job on my mother's day present. The wood platform is in two and comes out for ease of mobillity from the steel frame. Being 2 metres long it was awkward getting it up the stairs. The best part is it doubles as a double bed if even I need an extra one.

As we had a lot of first timers at the workshop, they preferred to use the tables with drawing boards. I think I had 8 at easels and 8 at tables. A few beginners used an easel for the first time.

The road is looking clearer
 

Just got news that I was successful of gaining a small arts grant to bring a teacher here for our little group. I put the application in on March 18th. It looks as though I could even get a couple of models to travel as well with the money left over for maybe a sustained study or just drawing practice.

I will have to search around for a good portrait artist in the metropolitan city and see if they will travel for a days workshop. Here's hoping.

Ngaire,

Where the heck are you? What city, direction / distance (that I would recognize) would be closest to you?

I once visited Brisbane and Sydney back in the 80's.

Mike, the closest metro is Brisbane which is about 2 and a half hours away. Syndey is around 12 hours away.

The unfortunate problem I have is that there only seems to be me who is interested in portraiture in this whole region as far as I can ascertain. Another artist (male) has done portraiture but more impressionist style with about 70% accuracy. I would like to be trained in realism and 100% accuracy but classical teachings.

The other artists that came to the first workshop are landscape/abstract painters or beginners and many don't seem to take their draughtsmanship skills seriously.

That is why I feel a bit isolated at times.

The other option is to find out if I could somehow find a good portrait teacher from say Sydney but tag onto another citys workshop that they happen to be at and the traveling costs would be cheaper. I am not sure what to do? I have about $500 to play with. I want to stretch it as far as it will go.

Brisbane is a big city. What do they have there in the way of art, workshops, galleries or wealthy potential clients?

I would think you would be a prime candidate for purchasing some training tapes. I've only seen one pastel by Daniel Greene and thought it was worthwhile. I know that Peggy Baumgaertner has a video series.

I know that it is possible to make progress from within a vacuum. The race is to achieve some degree of excellence before you hit the nursing home.

Good luck.

Books and videos can take you a long way, if they're the right ones. I highly recommend Peggy Baumgaertner's videotape series. I also recommend Tony Ryder's drawing book. Dilligent practice of the procedures that those two artists describe will take you very, very far. Copying old master reproductions that you print out from the Internet can also teach you a tremendous amount.

Videos
 

Hi Ngaire -

I'm getting to rent videos from the Portrait Society of Atlanta, and have so far seen some by John Howard Sanden, Peggy Baumgartner and Burton Silverman. All were good. My suggestion would be to hear from folks about what videos they like, and check out the artists to see if their style gibes with what you want to accomplish.

Thanks Mike, Michelle and Julie
Yes I could definitely do with some classical training somehow.

The grant I received was to bring an artist to teach a workshop of some description to my town. I would love to buy the videos from the money but I don't think that is allowed. It is called a Regional Arts Development Fund.The idea is to pay an artist to teach I know it is a meager amount but hopeully I could attract someone to come for a day at least. A continuing or developmental program would be great of course.

I thought of contacting the realist society in my state to find out a worthwhile teacher. The teaching skills is important I feel, not everyone has that special appeal.

Mike by the way there are plenty of candidates here even a world renowned professor living here regionally. I have already had offers for portraiture but I told them I am not skilled enough yet. Give me a couple of years and maybe I could help them. I think I could be the only portrait artist (student) around here for about 200 miles. There is a big field of candidates to attract if only I was up to scratch. That is why I am desperate to see an artist in life not by a video. Basically any training would be great.