Imagine Yourself Creative
Life Drawing Workshop – Male Model
A Morning, Afternoon or Full Day Workshop for All Skill Levels
£40.00
Draw from life in a relaxed studio setting with a professional male model. Each session moves from lively quick poses into a longer sustained pose, giving you the chance to loosen up, sharpen your observation, and then settle into a more considered drawing or painting. Whether you’re picking up a pencil for the first time in years or looking to keep your life drawing practice sharp, this workshop will leave you with a fresh body of work and confidence in drawing, or painting the figure.
If you haven’t done any drawing or painting from life before: It’s almost certainly not what you think. The model very quickly becomes an object in your eyes – like any other you may draw as a “still life”, though this dynamic object lends itself to being captured without ever demanding a likeness. I’ll be on-hand during both sessions to offer guidance or advice, if required, whether you’re drawing from life for the first time, or want to progress your life skills via painting.
Choose your life drawing workshop session:
- Morning session – quick poses of varied lengths followed by a longer pose. 10.00am to 12.30pm.
- Afternoon session – quick poses of varied lengths followed by a longer pose. 1.30pm to 4.00pm.
- Full day – book both sessions for a complete day of drawing and painting from life. 10.00am to 4.00pm.
There is nothing quite like drawing from a life model – Geoff Almond is a local professional model who will be posing throughout both sessions on the day. Working from life trains your eye in a way that photographs simply can’t, teaching you to see weight, balance, movement and form. Life drawing is the foundation of so much figurative work, and it feeds directly into portraiture, landscape and still life painting too. This workshop is for anyone with an interest in drawing or painting the human figure, in whatever medium they love most. Please note poses involve a nude male model – so age restrictions apply.
What you’ll gain from your life drawing workshop:
- Gesture and movement: using quick poses to capture the energy and rhythm of the figure in just a few lines
- Proportion and measuring: simple, reliable methods for getting the figure in proportion
- Weight and balance: understanding how the body stands, leans and rests
- Light and form: using tone to describe the structure and volume of the figure
- Working from the longer pose: developing a sustained drawing or painting with depth and presence
- Mark making and medium: making the most of your chosen materials, from charcoal and pencil to pastel or paint
The quick poses are a wonderful warm up. There’s no time to fuss, so you learn to look hard and commit to your marks, and the results are often the most alive drawings of the day. The longer pose then gives you time to slow down, refine and build something more finished, in drawing or paint. I’ll be offering guided instruction to those that would like it or just come and enjoy the session.
Please bring your own materials, whatever you most enjoy working with. Charcoal, graphite, pastels, gouache, watercolour or oils (no turp’s permitted – thank you) are all welcome. Some easels and drawing boards can be provided if required – just let me know when you book. If you’re unsure what to bring, just get in touch and I’ll happily advise.
I aim for simplicity in all my creative work, and this includes my workshops. The venue for this workshop is in the East Cowton village hall nearby my studio, providing a larger creative space with easy access.
Included in the workshop are refreshments, tea, coffee etc. Guided tuition will also be available throughout the day if required.
Please see the tab below What To Bring for more information.
What you’ll gain from your life drawing workshop:
- Gesture and movement: using quick poses to capture the energy and rhythm of the figure in just a few lines
- Proportion and measuring: simple, reliable methods for getting the figure in proportion
- Weight and balance: understanding how the body stands, leans and rests
- Light and form: using tone to describe the structure and volume of the figure
- Working from the longer pose: developing a sustained drawing or painting with depth and presence
- Mark making and medium: making the most of your chosen materials, from charcoal and pencil to pastel or paint
This workshop is for everyone. All my Imagine Yourself Creative workshops are structured to cater for a wide range of abilities, and reflect my teaching style – one small imaginative step at a time.My own artwork is a blend of process and practise founded on a few simple rules, one of which is to keep things as simple as possible.
When you have a beginners mindset, you’re not worried about looking smart. You’re more interested in exploration, discovery, asking questions, trying new things, and perhaps above all you see opportunities instead of obstacles in your learning experience.
How to Practice the Beginner’s MindsetAsk more questions. Especially basic fundamental questions.Be open to feedback. This should feel like a conversation between you and your creative project.Let go of being right. Focus on being open, learning not winning.Try something completely new. We are numbed by comfort, push yourself into a new space.Stay curious. Imagine how a child would respond to what you see and feel.
You can read the full Imagine Yourself Creative post on my blog [here]
The JNA colour workshop will be held in East Cowton, Village Hall, which is about 6 miles north of Northallerton. The hall has good access and nearby parking in a quiet village location, just round the corner from the JNA studio. Specific details will follow as part of the booking prior to the workshop.
What to bring? Suitable comfortable clothing and a packed lunch, the hall is well heated.
Please bring your own materials, whatever you most enjoy working with. Charcoal, graphite, pastels, gouache, watercolour or oils (no turp’s please) are all welcome. Easels and drawing boards can be provided if required – just let me know when you book. If you’re unsure what to bring, just get in touch and I’ll happily advise.
Easels aren’t generally provided – though some can be made available on request. If you have any questions please contact me.
Read the Imagine Yourself Creative Beginners Mindset post on my blog [here].
Age Restriction – Younger students are usually very welcome at all my workshops. In this instance, however, given the nature of this workshop the minimum age is 18 years old.
Gift Vouchers – Being creative is one of the most therapeutic pursuits, and benefits us in so many ways, improving our mental health, concentration and focus, and in generating a sense of well-being.
You can purchase a gift voucher for £25 / £50 / £100 which you can use against any course / workshop & one to one tuition, or use against purchases for framing, prints and original fine art.
If you’d like any more information please just click on the link in the upper section of the page Contact Me & Studio Location Map.
Sometimes things don’t go according to plan, and if you’re unable to attend a course you’ve paid for, and would like to cancel I will always try and accommodate any request as fairly as possible. In any case, please just get in touch.
More than 8 weeks notice – You’ll receive a refund of 80% of the cost of the course.
More than 4 weeks notice – I’ll transfer you to another workshop / course to the same value. If there isn’t a suitable one free, your credit will be maintained and you’ll get priority bookings as more courses are released. Or, as below I’m happy someone to take your place.
Less than 4 weeks – I’m happy for a family member or friend to take your place, just let me have there details to confirm the booking.
