Life Drawing Classes!

Ngaire Winwood · 05-09-2004, 08:48 AM

Things are improving around here. I have arranged community workshops of many varieties as I have local and regional towns to work with and small populations. I have taken three to four months to organise a series of craft and of course, life model workshops. I had a successful first workshop today as an unpaid community volunteer coordinator. It was a tutored life drawing workshop with two nude models(male/female) that came from a city 1 and a half hours away. I had 15 people turn up from towns all over in this region from as far as 100 kilometres or around 65 miles. Four are local artists. I of course get to draw for free which suits my budget. I am hoping to organise this workshop without the tutor next time at least once a month. The venue I used is big and accommodating for this amount of people with table/chairs and a few easels. Originally going to be 30 metres by 8 metres to use, but I was only allowed to use about 15 x 8 metres of room space for these workshops. This venue is reasonably priced.

Apparently there has not been nude models in this region for around two years. That is certainly going to change if I can get the numbers on a regular basis of once a month.

Wait... there's more

Well I don't know how I did it but I secured a room by the local Town Council for free, it is a room the size of a large bedroom and suitable for about 6 sitting artists with no easels.

I have coaxed a few artists from beginners to intermediate skill to come together on a Wednesday night to do Kimon Nicolaides exercises from the todays workshop hopefully. We will each take a turn for half hour sittings overall a 2 hour night or so of drawing from life (clothed of course). I think I might have three to four interested so far. I am hoping to start our first day on the 19 May.

All in all, things are really starting to improve. Still no job yet, but hey yoou never know what is around the next corner.

Michele Rushworth · 05-10-2004, 12:07 AM

Congratulations on your successes, Ngaire. This determination you show even in the most challenging circumstances will take you far.

Julie Deane · 05-10-2004, 10:13 AM

Way to go, Ngaire!

Linda Brandon · 05-10-2004, 10:51 AM

Hi Ngaire,

I love how you are making things happen in your community. You are a person of drive, determination and energy. Please post photos of your setup when you find the time. I'm proud to have met you on this Forum.

Ngaire Winwood · 05-10-2004, 06:49 PM

Thanks Michelle and Julie.

Sometimes you have to make a start and see where it will lead.

I have opened the door and now hope that these small towns and their people will open up their hearts and minds to at least unite on a monthly basis for life drawing. Here's hoping.

Ngaire Winwood · 05-10-2004, 06:58 PM

Thanks Linda I wasn't sure if I should have gone in the direction that I did, but I feel it was the right thing to do.

Someone at the workshop had a digital camera, so I should have some photos for the forum soon. I got so excited about it all that it was actually happening, I forgot to take one, even though I had an old automatic camera.

My easel fell over a couple of times, I tripped over the heaters when I went around giving everyone a baby wipe to wipe their charcoal hands with (after warm up exercises) as most forgot to bring a rag and basically ended up being the class clown, without wanting to. It made for a more comfortable start anyway, and loosened every one up before we got into the 30 minute drawings.

Next time I will hopefully settle down and concentrate better.

Ngaire Winwood · 05-17-2004, 07:35 AM

Well I have just received the photos back for my first workshop. The first is the building, Abbey of the Roses. A little history:
Our Sisters of Mercy Convent - Our Lady of Assumption (now Abbey of the Roses) was built in 1893 from local freestone, cost approximately 12,000 pounds and was funded by the people of Warwick through an Art Union.

Photo 1: This building is now privately owned and is a Bed & Breakfast, Function Centre. The room that the workshop was in is the cathedral shaped leadlight windows on the far right, on the 1st floor. This room hasn't been renovated and is called the dormitory.

Photo 2: The workshop just starting. Artists came from all over the region as far as approx 130 miles away. That is me sitting down taking their particulars. (looking south) The Manager wouldn't let me shift their laundry and furniture as this is their storage room, so I had to share the space. I had the southern half and one side of the room.

Photo 3: Everyone getting ready for the warm up exercises. The model has the white sheet wrapped around him, ready to come into the middle to stand on the podium my 14 year old son, Jacob made me for Mother's Day. (Just the best present an artist mum could want) a 2x1.5 metres and 40cm high model stand. It was his first welding job and he made it over three weeks during his school Industrial tech class. (looking north)

It was a great day. We had two models, a couple (male and female).

I hope these photos come out in the right order. Here's hoping!

The next one is planned for 20 June.

Linda Brandon · 05-17-2004, 10:37 AM

I'm happy to see so many artists are involved in this, Ngaire, and your space is beautiful! These are interesting photos, and the convent is so lovely.

I've never drawn while sitting down in an Open Studio. I'm just wondering if you could push the podium up against the wall and let artists form a half-circle around the model. It would give everyone some room to stand back while drawing.

I'm very impressed that your young son can weld. Your comment is reminding me that I want to start a thread about podiums here on the Forum, and when I do I would like to see more information about how he made yours.