LIFE DRAWING CLASSES ARE STARTING UP AGAIN AT BRISTOL GRAMMAR SCHOOL IN CLIFTON AND BRUNEL FIELD IN HORFIELD IN JANUARY 2012 FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE
This website is the informal website for the two life drawing groups that meet on Monday evenings from 7 until 9pm at Brunel Field on Ashley Down Rd and Thursday evenings from 7 until 9pm at Bristol Grammar school in Clifton. The cost of each group is £57 (yes, you did read that correctly) for a full ten weeks, which is payable in full on the first evening and includes the cost of the models. TO BOOK A PLACE EMAIL WILLSTEVENS@LIFEDRAWINGCLASSES.CO.UK
The class is easy enough to describe. A room with a choice of models each week. No easels (If you want one you’ll need to bring your own) but plenty of chairs and drawing boards so it’s easy enough to improvise something as well as paper for sale if required. It’s a well established life drawing class and over the 14 years it’s been running it’s catered for all levels of abilities from beginner artists to animators, students, sixth formers and members of the R.W.A. A huge selling point is the choice of models, more than one each week. You never have to worry about turning up and finding that the class has been cancelled due to non attendance by the model, and you’ll never find yourself marooned in a corner with a boring view without some choice of going and drawing someone else.
Tuition is available on both evenings is available. If you require friendly advice and help with the principles of proportion or shading or if you need advice about what materials to buy I can help you out. This is not a structured beginners class however. If you are a real beginner with little experience of painting and drawing you may be interested in the Paint and Draw beginners art classes that I run on separate evenings. For more details click here
If you have some experience already and just want to work from life without being bothered don’t worry! Drawing the human figure in a short time limit requires a lot of concentration which is not always helped by somebody teaching you if you don’t feel you need it, or worse being dismissive (It’s great if the tutor says something nice of course!) One of the things that I’ve always felt very strongly about these groups is that as long as you respect the space and set up whatever you’re level of ability this is your time. My own ideas about what is good art come secondary to that. I’m just here to help you get something out of your couple of hours with me.
Just in case you were wondering, there’s also car parking.
For anybody who likes that sort of thing please feel free to check out the blog which contains up to date announcements about the class, examples of life drawings by group members and other art/figurative drawing related stuff.
Images by Will Stevens. click on the thumbnails to see larger version of these life drawings and paintings
Just got to say that your site etc is v good…………and the work shown too………….I attend a life class in Newport (local ed auth) , its rather pricey so your idea about 2.50 per session is the way to go ……………have you any contacts who can do the same over here? regards mike
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your comment and apologies for not responding earlier. I love it when people find the time to say nice things about the pictures here as it encourages me to keep posting them. Life drawing classes are getting expensive it’s true and I wish I could help but Newport’s a little too far really. I tried a post on this blog a year ago speculatively suggesting that I might run a class in Bath on a similar basis (£50 for ten sessions) to this if the response was good enough but unfortunately although I had a few replies there weren’t really enough of them so I guess it’s just Bristol for me for the time being. If there is a life drawing class near you though it is worth trying to support even if it is a little pricey. I bet it won’t be as expensive as one I saw advertised in Central London recently….£25 per session! Anyway, good luck and I hope you find somewhere.
regards
Will
The class in Clifton especially is a bit of a Bristol institution. I’ll never forget the first time I attended and being thrilled by the buzz of the place. I felt like I was in Montmartre c1890.
The sessions are also excellent value which means that a lot of people turn up and you get to meet all different sorts of artists and non-artists. It’s very social (between drawing) and a model I met at the class is now one of my best mates. Recommended.
Not much of a one for posting comments on anything – but felt compelled to write and make sure that everyone knows what a great class this is. Its really well run and good value for money – you have a choice of model and choice of how long you want to draw the pose for – 5 mins, 15 mins or 1 hour per pose. Also great seeing this many people are interested in life drawing and being able to chat to different people every week in the breaks. Its also amazing seeing the range of work that is produced – some stunningly good artists around (although sadly not me!). I would really recommend the class.
Looking forward to attending my first group later this month, life drawing is something I’ve wanted to try for along time, can’t wait!
Thanks Rob, I’m sure you’ll really enjoy it!