Advance your life drawing

What is the course about?

Every session will consist of working from observation of the nude model in one of our art studios. The main focus will be on activity.
Different drawing exercises will sharpen your vision and build your confidence in using a variety of materials, contrasting traditional ‘academic’ life drawing with experimental approaches.
This course provides an opportunity to explore and develop elements of figure-based work in an existing practice, to build your observational skills or develop a portfolio of objective drawing.

What will we cover?

- Observation and accurate rendering of the human form.
- Uniquely human anatomical characteristics, particularly in relation to proportion.
- Situating the model in space.
- Consideration of composition and scale.
- Appropriate use of material, speed and texture.
- Identify gesture and direction to bring life to your drawings.

Each class will begin with a series of quick poses and challenging drawing exercises using different materials to sharpen your hand-to-eye coordination and visual skills. These will be followed by a longer pose, where you can spend time looking more slowly to produce a more resolved drawing. Towards the end of the course we will have a longer pose that spans two sessions.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Approach life drawing and representation of the human form with more confidence.
- Recognise unique human characteristics and the role they play in proportion, rotation and tilt.
- Add context by relating the model to the surrounding space.
- Draw one thing in relation to another within in the pose.
- Have onfidence in choice and use of materials.
- Produce life drawings with a more informed eye that will become more evidential as the course and your practice progresses.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is for:
- Students who have done a lot of drawing outside of the life room and feel ready to apply their existing skills to drawing the human figure from life.
- Those who have attended many untutored drop-in life drawing classes who feel ready for some concrete direction to advance their practice.
- It will be of particular value to students on our Foundation and Pre-Foundation courses whose practice consists of figurative representation, who want to develop their observational and visual skills, or who are developing a portfolio.
- Equally, it is intended for advanced students who simply enjoy life drawing.
Self-reflection is an important part of art education and practice. You will be encouraged and expected to evaluate and review your own learning, ways of working and progress.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

In class, practical demonstrations, one-to-one tuition and group discussions as appropriate.
Sketchbook work outside of class is optional but will be encouraged: particularly drawing from figurative paintings in galleries, and drawings of people in the real world, e.g. in cafés, on public transport, etc. Applying skills gained in the life studio to advance an ongoing artistic practice outside of class.
A little time will be made for students to share their recent sketchbook work if they choose to show it. Students will also be encouraged to share with the group any relevant exhibitions they have recently visited.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

All basic materials are provided. This includes paper and drawing materials such as pencil, charcoal and chalk. Sketchbooks are not provided, but all students receive a 15% discount from the London Graphics Centre which is a short walk from the college. Your tutor can advise you.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

City Lit offers a range of courses in drawing, figure drawing/painting and portraiture, including:
Extended drawing for artists and makers (VH835/VH796); Advanced figure and portrait (VH953); Life drawing into life painting (VH449); Anatomical life drawing (VH778).
Your tutor will also be able to recommend the most suitable courses, based on your level, progress and interests. Check the drawing section of our website for full details.