LIFE-DRAWING COURSE, by Susan Kemp

We love charcoal sticks and putty rubbers!

Art-for-All offers a course in the basics of drawing from life, with an optional fourth day of practical figure drawing from a model -

Life-Drawing Basics.

Our fully equipped, air-conditioned studio in Storms River Village offers easels, table workstations and other basic studio equipment. Materials required for your courses can be supplied through the studio if you cannot get hold of everything you need to bring with. Please arrange with us before the time!

CONTENT

The course starts off with the clarification of the concept of drawing from the right side of the brain, which involves drawing negative space and maintaining a balance between knowing (information) and seeing (observation). A number of drawing exercises are done in class to enable the brain to kick into this mode of seeing and drawing. These and other drawing exercises are alternated with discussions and demonstrations of composition, depth, perspective and value contrast.

Still-life drawings will be made from a photo, then from a still life set up in class; followed by more life drawing. A fourth day of figure drawing from life is optional.

Please bring examples of your work for constructive feedback that will enhance your learning during the course.

MATERIALS

Bring all your drawing tools and materials - pencils, charcoal sticks, erasers, kneaded erasers, sketch books, sketch pads, rulers, sharpening tools, fixative and masking tape - as discussion and advice regarding these will form part of the course.

Materials can be bought through the studio if arranged well in advance and depending upon availability at our nearest art supplier, but we will lend you some stuff too.

If necessary, ask your art supplier to suggest suitable products similar to those stated below. Please call Susan at (083) 467 9388 if you need advice.

1. A3-size 200g rough cartridge drawing paper, such as an Ashrad Sketch Pad (price around R180+). The studio supplies 80g paper for drawing exercises, and brown paper and newsprint for life drawing.

2. Pencils HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B and a Cretacolor eraser or another eraser suitable for drawing. The Steadtler Tradition red-and-black “school” pencil is excellent and in some cases better than more expensive artist brands. Beware of the fake Steadlers, though – identifiable by the absence of “Tradition” in the description.

3. Soft charcoal sticks and a putty eraser (Cretacolor makes these, too). A soft charcoal pencil is also very handy!

4. White chalk pastel to use with charcoal, e.g. a Cretacolor pastel stick, available in single colours. A good blackboard chalk is often soft enough to use for this purpose.

5. NB: Fixative for your drawings. Clear matt spray varnish is excellent for this purpose and usually much cheaper that artist’s fixative (which is sometimes just clear matt varnish sold under a different label!) You can also use hairspray, but the old-fashioned type, such as Dippity-Do or Fiesta, which is actually a lacquer.

COSTS

• R3000 per 3-day course (including refreshments during breaks and 3 lunches). The optional fourth day of figure drawing from life costs extra.

• Discount of 5% for groups (two or more people)

• Discount for local residents. Please enquire.

• Regular weekly classes can be arranged.

• A deposit of R1500 is required upon booking, with the balance due when the course starts; or we can arrange a monthly payment plan. Fifty per cent of the deposit can be refunded if a cancellation is received up to one month before the course starts; no refunds if cancelled less than a month before the course or if the course has been postponed already.

2022 SCHEDULE (tailor-made courses are available) Contact us for more information: https://www.artforallgallery.co.za/contact-us JAN. 20 - 22 (Thurs. to Sat.) Life-drawing Basics (optional 4th day of figure-drawing from life). FEB. 17 - 19 (Thurs. to Sat.) Life-drawing Basics (optional 4th day of figure-drawing from life). MAR. 17 - 19 (Thurs. to Sat.) Life-drawing Basics (optional 4th day of figure-drawing from life). APR. 21 - 23 (Thurs. to Sat.) Life-drawing Basics (optional 4th day of figure-drawing from life). MAY 19 - 21 (Thurs. to Sat.) Life-drawing Basics (optional 4th day of figure-drawing from life). JUN. 23 - 25 (Thurs. to Sat.) Life-drawing Basics (optional 4th day of figure-drawing from life). JUL. 21 - 23 (Thurs. to Sat.) Life-drawing Basics (optional 4th day of figure-drawing from life). AUG. 18 - 20 (Thurs. to Sat.) Life-drawing Basics (optional 4th day of figure-drawing from life). SEPT. 22 - 24 (Thurs. to Sat.) Life-drawing Basics (optional 4th day of figure-drawing from life). OCT. 20 - 22 (Thurs. to Sat.) Life-drawing Basics (optional 4th day of figure-drawing from life). NOV. 17 - 19 (Thurs. to Sat.) Life-drawing Basics (optional 4th day of figure-drawing from life). DEC. - by arrangement after December 15.

ACCOMMODATION & ACTIVITIES

Storms River Village is a popular adventure tourism destination that offers adventure and outdoors activities, nature trails, birding, restaurants and a spa. Selected accommodation options are available to our students at preferential rates - all within walking distance of the studio. The relevant information will also be supplied to you. Give us a call - we would love to share our art and our village with you. Also, have a peek at our Facebook page and website:

https://www.facebook.com/art4allgallery and https://wwwartforallgallery.co.za

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact SUSAN at (083) 467 9388 / (042) 2811 006 or susankemp1@gmail.com.