Life Drawing Open Studios

Ongoing

Make a picture from life, with your own two hands, in a shared environment. “Life drawing,” that is, drawing from a live model rather than reference images or from the imagination, is surprisingly challenging. It is also hard to find opportunities to do it: most people don’t want to sit or stand for long enough! For this field trip, you will visit:

• Life Drawing Open Studios at Gage Academy of Art in SLU/Westlake
  – Saturday (mornings or afternoons) have nude models and short poses
  – Sundays (afternoons only) have nude models and long poses
  – There are also occasional “Hosted” sessions (see calendar) on weekdays which are labeled “clothed” or “nude”
  Advanced registration required ($20 per session): https://gageacademy.org/studios
  Registration is $20 per session and attendees MUST agree to abide by the studios “Life Room Etiquette” Rules before registering.
  

PLEASE NOTE: Unlike all of the other field trips, this one does not have a “free” or “pay what you can” option available. If you are interested in this opportunity but do not have the funds to pay the admission, let me (Professor Mal) know. I have a small fund available for helping students with this sort of thing. Just make sure to let me know with enough advance notice so that I am able to get your preferred time and date. One or two weeks in advance would be ideal.

Think about the history of image-making technologies, and of portraiture. The obvious contrast you will feel is between the time and effort of drawing and painting, and the relative ease of taking a photograph. But I also invite you to think about the history of drawing itself: its varied techniques, tools, conventions, and practices of thought. These, too, are a part of the history of knowledge, technology, and art.

For 25 extra credit points, send a picture of you holding your drawing and a written report (at least 200 words) reflecting on your experience in relation to something we have learned in class. Note: do not take your selfies or other photos during the open studio itself. Please familiarize yourself with the required rules of studio etiquette before registering.

PAIRS WELL WITH: Sessions on “Objectivity Shock” and “Circulation and Scale,” and the project on “Drawing Machines.”