Teaching Life Drawing at Newlyn School of Art

I’ve spent two lovely evenings the last two Wednesdays teaching a life class at Newlyn School of Art. Before I go to teach I focus on asking what the focus for the evening should be. For the first evening the word’ fluidity’ came to me strongly, so we worked with wet paper, using mediums which were well received by this. We asked the model for poses which emphasised fluidity in the human form, and the drawings which were made were very exciting, and the evening was very productive and rewarding. Here are some of the works made:

2014-05-01 20.02.26         2014-05-01 20.02.59

2014-05-01 19.43.09        2014-05-01 20.12.25

2014-05-01 21.06.06      2014-05-01 21.05.43

Last night the word which came was’connections’ so I spoke out how we can feel connected to our drawings, to the model; through an enhanced sense of empathy, for example, as one draws the model’s hand one becomes more aware of one’s own hand…I also suggested that phenomena might be seen around the model, connected to her visually, in a subtle way, made evident through the process of drawing, but this was not developed. I would need more time to introduce this properly. We also did an awareness/perception developing technique, bringing our focus to ourselves in an intense way, and then to the model, but without being penetrating or being intrusive in any way. Afterwards there was a strong lovely quiet sense in the room.

The drawings made were really great, I was very pleased. I will be one of the tutors on the new year long life drawing course which Henry Garfit is going to introduce in October 2014.

2014-05-08 19.23.56      2014-05-08 19.23.36

2014-05-08 19.24.23      2014-05-08 19.24.31

2014-05-08 19.37.19      2014-05-08 19.37.29

2014-05-08 19.56.18      2014-05-08 19.56.54

2014-05-08 20.42.25     2014-05-08 21.05.49