Life Drawing Classes!

Steven Sweeney · 02-26-2004, 09:28 PM

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.

Ngaire Winwood · 02-27-2004, 05:18 PM

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?

Ngaire Winwood · 05-09-2004, 08:48 AM

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.

Michele Rushworth · 05-10-2004, 12:07 AM

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

Julie Deane · 05-10-2004, 10:13 AM

Way to go, Ngaire!

Linda Brandon · 05-10-2004, 10:51 AM

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.

Ngaire Winwood · 05-10-2004, 06:49 PM

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.

Ngaire Winwood · 05-10-2004, 06:58 PM

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.