Portrait drawing group

Patricia Joyce · 10-31-2005, 10:35 AM

Perhaps someone can help me. I have been extremely disappointed that in all of Cleveland I cannot find a portrait drawing group to join. Therefore, I have decided to form my own. Now that I have my own place, and no furniture to fill the large space I have room to invite artists in. My studio is the living room and it is 15ft x 24 feet plenty large enough for 8 artists I figure, and a model.

I am also thinking about teaching students one evening a week. If anyone has done this before and has some advice, please let me know. If this is not a good place to discuss this on the forum then please email me privately.

I appreciate any input I can gather on how to start a portrait drawing group and how to start a portrait/drawing class for kids.

Thanks and have a great day

Julie Deane · 11-02-2005, 06:23 PM

Hi Pat -

Good for you! I hope you get lots of responses.

I had a small drawing class that met in my family room, which was not quite as long as your room. I found that it was difficult to position a lot of people so that they could see the model and have room to draw, but that it can be done if some are willing to stand and some to sit. You might want to scope out your room ahead of time to get an idea of the maximum number of people you can invite.

Are your people bringing their own easels or are you suppying them? I would be careful to let your prospective artists know what they need to bring with them.

Use a platform for your model, but don't make it too high or your folks will be drawing nostrils!

If your group meets at night, consider what lighting you will use. If by day, consider how your light changes (or doesn't) and what you will do in the event of a dark cloudy day.

Having a screen with different cloth backdrops is a good idea too.

About getting clients - like I said, my class was very small, just some people I knew. But here are some ideas: post a notice at any college art bulletin boards or in college newspapers. Post with any homeschool groups in your area for kid and teen students- many of them now have online newsletters. Art clubs are a natural place of course. And network, network, network. Ask any contact you speak to to spread the word to their friends.

One other thought - inviting strangers into your home could be dangerous. Please be careful!

Hope these ideas help.

Julie

Patricia Joyce · 11-03-2005, 11:32 AM

Thank you, Julie! I promise I will be careful. Actually I am thinking of only women for just that reason. I am taking the time to think this out and get the lighting set up and all. If I do an afterschool program it will be grade school, maybe high school. I think I have taken enough drawing classes that I could facilitate opening kids up to their own drawing skills.