beginner in a life drawing class?

October 7, 2008 12:27 PM

Would it be viewed as strange to go to a life drawing class if I can't draw very well?

I've recently been getting into drawing, and noticed a local free 'life drawing' class. I told them I would come, thinking that it was the same thing as 'still life'

On reflection, and checking 'life drawing' will probably involve a nude model.

Normally, I wouldn't be overly embarrassed by this sort of thing. However, I am still a real beginner at drawing. I feel like people there might think that it's a bit suspect that I came, and it could turn into a socially anxious loop in my head that would make me awkward, and thus make me seem more suspect etc.

Backing out wouldn't be a problem, but I would actually like to practise doing anatomical drawings for various reasons, and would quite like to go.

If you've done this kind of drawing, what is your feeling about the situation? Would it seem odd if someone turned up and produced some beginner sketches?

posted by Not Supplied to media & arts (26 comments total)

I should add, comments also welcome if you don't draw as well!
posted by Not Supplied at 12:34 PM on October 7, 2008

It won't be an issue at all (speaking from the former drawing class model perspective), unless it's advertised as an advanced class or your behaviour is skeevy.
posted by goo at 12:36 PM on October 7, 2008

It won't be odd at all, though... I do recommend taking some basic lessons on proportions and form first before taking a life drawing class. I'm fairly sure they wouldn't mind if the only thing you can draw are stick figures. However, the human body is fairly complex to draw, and requires some idea of form and proportion. I wouldn't go into it without getting those down first.
posted by curagea at 12:37 PM on October 7, 2008

It was in college, but my roommate took such a class without really being able to draw a lick and it wasn't any big deal. Unless you're drawing Beavis & Butthead style images, I don't think anyone will think ill of your intent, and my roommate got over the whole "taboo" aspect of it pretty quickly, so that sitting there looking at a nude person and drawing them wasn't a big deal. After a while, it just gets clinical and you're just drawing shapes.

Plus, you need to remember that the sex you're not so attracted to (assuming you're not bi) will also be represented in the models.
posted by LionIndex at 12:38 PM on October 7, 2008

I say go. It's a class, no? If you were already expert then you'd be wasting your time. If you live near Madison WI, you could try Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School, where I've seen some folks draw stick figures with no repercussions.
posted by Floydd at 12:38 PM on October 7, 2008

Not odd at all. You are a beginner, the class will help you to improve your drawing skills.

I've had several life drawing classes, and the only thing that offended me were the people who criticized the model's body or the girls who moved to another seat if the male models (or rather, his genitals) were facing them.
posted by clearlydemon at 12:38 PM on October 7, 2008

Not at all. You'll learn a lot, and the other students won't be looking at your drawings (except maybe a glance), they'll be working on their own. But if you want real reassurance, call the instructor and tell them you're a beginner, and ask if the class is appropriate for your skill level.

FWIW, I'd suggest that approach even if it was a still-life class.
posted by nkknkk at 12:40 PM on October 7, 2008 [2 favorites]

No.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 12:43 PM on October 7, 2008

I think you're just over-analyzing. It's a class for a reason - so you can get practice and actually do some life drawing (one imagines some students will have never done any). It's not as if you're going to an expert swimming class or something where a certain level of experience is necessary.

I'm an appalling artist, but I get involved in art events and the like and I've found that pretty much "anything goes" in the art world, whether at a local level or global. Take heart that Damien Hirst got a grade E in art!
posted by wackybrit at 12:45 PM on October 7, 2008

Nthing everyone above. You go to a class to learn things. Far from being suspect, or weird, what you're doing is bold and wonderful! I doubt your fellow-students would give you shit, but if they do, you can always let them know that you have the internet at home, and if all you wanted was to see some naked people, you've got a more comfortable chair in front of your computer.

Also, though: it may not even be a nude drawing class; you can learn a lot about the human form from clothed people, too, and all the "life drawing" classes I took as a teenager involved non-naked people.
posted by Greg Nog at 12:54 PM on October 7, 2008

I say give the class a shot and use it as an opportunity to pick up some pointers from some of the other artists there.

My college's art department was against the idea of figure drawing classes for some reason, so during my senior year several art students organized an informal class for art majors and non-majors that met once a week and used volunteer students--friends--as models. As a writer for one of the student newspapers, I attended two classes and wrote about my experience as a novice artist. I definitely felt out of place and couldn't quite get my sketches to turn out anything like what many of the other students created, but nobody minded that an "outsider" was there with them. I even interviewed the model one night as she contorted herself into various positions. Definitely one of my more entertaining assignments!

Just don't do what at least a few of my friends tended to do, which was make their decision whether to go to the class or skip it based on who the model would be.
posted by emelenjr at 12:55 PM on October 7, 2008

The point of going to a life drawing class is to improve your drawing skills. If you feel it will benefit you, you should go.
posted by lekvar at 12:55 PM on October 7, 2008

I think you should go! My drawing professor once told me that if you can learn to draw the human form, that you should be able to draw anything. If anyone else has a problem with your presence or approach, then they are the ones who should be judged as immature or suspect. Just act like an adult and not a third-grader - you won't experience any problems. Most artists will be thrilled to have you there participating and will may even offer you guidance.
posted by bristolcat at 12:56 PM on October 7, 2008

I have been a model in many life drawing classes and just as an extra data point, lots of the people in that class "can't draw" in any traditional sense and a lot of the people in the class would spend a lot of time on like one aspect [a leg or arm or whatever] and not even draw the whole person. Unless you're being a doof and distracting or annoying other people [or being some sort of mega-weird creep which I never ever encountered] then it would probably be a good experience and I suggest that you go.
posted by jessamyn at 1:00 PM on October 7, 2008

Thanks for the answers. Looks like I'll probably give it a go then.
posted by Not Supplied at 1:06 PM on October 7, 2008

Classes are for learning, yup. Go.
posted by rokusan at 1:15 PM on October 7, 2008

Classes are for learning, not showing off. Life drawing classes usually don't give you enough time to even draw a complete figure, it is very much about being quick enough to catch the essence of the person.
My life drawing class experience:
The first ten minutes of class will probably just drawing the head and curve of the spine, the page will be covered with what looks like balloons. The model will be changing positions every 2 seconds so you don't have time to think about what you are doing. Draw and go. This is a good exercise to wake up your hand, and the spine is the basis for your art.
The next 20 minutes you get to draw another balloon and spine, but you start filling in the body. Now it is time for bubble people. Draw an oval for the upper and lower arms, half circles for the upper torso and lower torso for women, men get a bit more squared off, ovals again for thighs and calves. Don't worry about fingers and feet at this point. You get 15 seconds before your model moves. You will end up with a page of circles and you might see a figure in there somewhere. Keep moving, you are too slow.
Now then, you have 30 minutes left of class. Here you will get to do 5 minute sketches. Just because you have the time, doesn't mean you can be slow on your first two steps of capturing the model's pose. This is a good opportunity to focus on parts of the body you may have trouble with, such as hands, foreshortening, facial structure. Work with only one level of shading, it will actually look a lot better than trying to put in a wide range of darks and lights.
A few tips about drawing that I learned:
Don't use your finger to blend the graphite around, it ends up looking like dirt and quite amateur.
Use really big newsprint paper pads, 24x36 is a good size. You can use bulldog clips to attach a pad of 10 or so to a sheet of signboard, which sets up on an easel.
Experiment with standard drawing pencils (I like 4B), charcoal, and solid graphite pencils.
Later, when you feel more confident, draw with white pencil on black paper. This teaches you about drawing with highlights instead of shadows.
Stand while you draw, it gives you a bigger range of motion and you can step back to see what you have done.
Learn about proportions now.
You don't have time to change paper in balloon and bubble people mode, so fill the whole page with sketches even if you draw on top of other work.
Go faster.
More good sketches here.

Nude model etiquette:
For the first 5 seconds of your very first class, you will be extremely nervous when you see the model. But then your artist mind will take over and you'll notice how the shadows fall, how the model curves, and all you'll want to do is draw that shallow valley just under the belly button. You'll be ok. I promise.
While the model is undressed, don't talk to or touch the model.
While the model is in a robe, you may talk but only if no one is drawing and you are on break.
Do not attempt to contact the model outside of class.
Do not talk to your neighbors while sketching is in session.
Do not photograph the model.
Do not walk out in the middle of a session.

Your class may have some differences depending on your teacher.
This class will drastically improve your drawing ability, speed, and eye for art. Have fun!
posted by idiotfactory at 1:15 PM on October 7, 2008 [4 favorites]

It's already been said in various fashion, but I reiterate: everyone was a beginner at some point, and you're there to learn and improve. Go, have fun, get better!
posted by owtytrof at 1:34 PM on October 7, 2008

Life drawing is very difficult. If you are a beginner you may not be able to keep up with the model and the rest of the students. You can try it but the teacher may point you in the direction of some basic drawing classes so that you can get up to speed.
posted by JJ86 at 1:47 PM on October 7, 2008

It will probably be expected that you will tip the model even if the class is otherwise free. Ask about this when you call about the class if finances are a concern.
posted by yohko at 1:56 PM on October 7, 2008

Don't miss this opportunity! You can really get a charge from being in a room where everybody is focusing so intently on drawing. At breaks, you'll see what other people are doing with the pose and it'll open your eyes to new approaches.

Bring a big, cheap sketchbook and a soft pencil. Later, you might want to go to an art supply place to ask for pads of 18x24 newsprint and a piece of plywood big enough to clip them onto. Get a box of 2B black conte (ask for "con-tay"). Always start with tick marks (top and bottom) to try to fit the whole image of the model into the page. Make a point of drawing the feet every time.

Tons of art students can't draw very well but those art, fashion and animation schools have to fill the seats somehow, so don't feel too self conscious.
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:22 PM on October 7, 2008

Also, buy a few kneaded erasers and mix them up with a bit of vaseline until you get a sillyputty-like consistency.
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:25 PM on October 7, 2008

I did this last term at my school. I'm a photo major who picked up the camera precisely because I couldn't draw. The other students were illustration majors, which was rather intimidating. At the end though, I noticed my drawing skills got eons better and I earned some respect from the other students.

Overall, it was a great experience. I found that the others were rather open and helpful, which helped me a lot. It was also rather inspiring to be able to use another outlet for my creativity for a change. No one expects you to be an expert because that's why everyone is there in the first place. If you were a master draughtsman/woman, you wouldn't be wasting your time...
posted by arishaun at 12:49 AM on October 8, 2008

wow brilliant. Thanks for all the detailed info and links, that will be very helpful for my drawing in general and in this class.
posted by Not Supplied at 1:27 AM on October 8, 2008

Yes, go and enjoy. Start with gesture drawings (try to capture the feel of the pose with a quick 30 second set of swooshing lines), bubble drawings (try to get the proportions of body sections right). Then settle in for a longer drawing if they are holding the pose for longer.

If you get really freaked out by the nakedness, you could just work on drawing the model from shoulders up, or just the hands or feet, until the feeling passes.
posted by LobsterMitten at 12:00 PM on October 8, 2008 [1 favorite]

Hi there, I've run a bunch on Life Drawing classes over the years ..not being able to draw is nothing to be worried about. (that's why it's a class! you're practicing!) Unless it's an Oil painter 4-hour dealie, and as long as your not skeevy, no one will care.

The advice here is really good, ask ahead if things like photography are allowed or if it's a "quiet" class (no music or talking.)

Good luck!
posted by The Whelk at 12:39 PM on October 8, 2008