Provisional programme. Collect your printed copy in class.

Established January 1994

Fridays 7.00 – 9.30pm

Buchan Street Neighbourhood Centre, 6 Buchan Street, Cambridge CB4 2XF

LIFE

DRAWING

Autumn Programme 2010  

Tutor: Derek Batty

email:

derekbatty1

@

ntlworld.com

www.derekbatty.co.uk  

The summer holiday gives us time to think what we most want to do – draw people of course! The class offers you the opportunity to develop your skill in a creative and encouraging setting and is suitable for both beginners and more experienced artists. Indeed, for many artists and students, the life class forms a core weekly activity and offers a wide range of personal expression.

The class topics in the Autumn term cover essential drawing skills using the sympathetic medium of charcoal. Charcoal is great for the life class because it is easy to apply a lot of material to the paper in a short time. Unlike pencil, charcoal can be quickly reworked as you refine your first marks into a more meaningful image.

In addition there are topics which help you sharpen your observation, but which often cause some anguish (perspective, foreshortening and anatomy come to mind). I hope that the demonstrations accompanying these classes will enable guaranteed results.

I encourage you to develop your skill through practice and the study of artist examples. In week eight we focus on Gauguin coinciding with a major exhibition of the artist's work at Tate Modern.

I always like to remind you that you are welcome to work in any material or style – the topics are seen as an optional extra to the chance of drawing our wonderful models ( two in every class and three for the portrait class).

Looking forward to drawing with you.

Derek 

1st September 2010   

	Date	Topic	Notes
1.	13-Sep-10	Naturally Flowing Using scene painters charcoal to capture the quick pose with long, soft, broad lines running throughout the figure.
2.	20-Sep-10	Charcoal a 5-stage method Structure your drawing using different approaches as it progresses. Begin with broad shading to block in the shadow, and progress to ever sharper detail. Demonstration 7.20 pm.
3.	27-Sep-10	Anatomical forms and bracelet shading Use the method of drawing with hoops to identify the bones and muscles and thereby give special athleticism to your figure. Demonstration 7.20pm
4.	04-Oct-10	Front and back Paired drawings on the same page or separately. The challenge here is to create two drawings which complement each other. If both are to go on the same page then the placing of the first is crucial. If on separate paper then traditionally the figures are turned towards each other.
5.	11-Oct-10	Blind Contour line drawing with white chalk on black paper Take a step in reverse using white chalk on black and remind yourself of the power of the single elusive line drawn with conviction. Demonstration 7.20 pm.
6.	18-Oct-10	With some clothes and thin drapes Our models will spend some time in each pose wearing one or two items of clothing. The clothes can be surprisingly easily drawn on top of the nude figure especially using the principle of bracelet shading – lines going around the figure.
	25-Oct-10	Half Term – no classes. Make a date to visit Gauguin at Tate Modern. 30 September 2010 – 16 January 2011.
7.	01-Nov-10	A new approach to drawing the head Use all your skill to focus on drawing a portrait. Remember to work in an orderly way, blocking in and smudging at the start but leaving those sharp details for the end when they will appear fresh and crisp, not overdone. Demonstration 7.20 pm.
8.	08-Nov-10	Gauguinesque Learn from one of the great masters of figure drawing. On a practical level try placing two or more figures on the page to create a composition. But, for the imagination, what will take the drawings beyond the life room into a personal vision?	Bring in personal photos of interiors or landscapes for use as backgrounds.
9.	15-Nov-10	Plane Breaks Give special attention to imaginary edge around the shadow that separates dark from light. By exaggerating the strength of this border you can create bold contrasts suggestive of strength and drama. Demonstration 7.20 pm.
10.	22-Nov-10	Extreme Lighting Positioning the lights and projector to create sharp contrasts and mysterious cast shadows.
11.	29-Nov-10	Construction of the figure and foreshortened poses Some poses demand a more analytical approach to construct the figure and get proportion right. Demonstration 7.20 pm.
12.	06-Dec-10	The Large Study By working larger your faults are more exposed. It is also more of challenge to get the proportion right. Begin on your usual size of paper but fill the page with just a section of the figure. Then, when you are ready, add paper and draw the next bit.
	17-Dec-10	Christmas Break
	14-Jan-11	First class of Spring Term

Payment

Choose a method to suit your circumstances:

· On the day pay-as-you-go for maximum flexibility: £16.00 per class.

· Book of Five Vouchers: £68. No need to worry about when you can attend. Each voucher is good for one class. Valid for 12 consecutive classes. Can also be used in the class on Monday mornings.

· In Advance Autumn Term (12 weeks) £124 Reward your commitment! You can pay by instalments - write two cheques (£62 / £62) one post-dated 1st November 2010. Cheques should be made payable to Derek Batty. Make up any missed classes on Monday mornings.

Internet Banking: You can make a payment over the internet: ask me for the account details or check in the class leaflet.

Materials List for Autumn Term classes
Charcoal, putty eraser, white pastel stick. Sketchbook (A4 or A5), pen, pencils, putty eraser, sharpener, bag for everything. No fixative please.
Some basic materials are available for you to buy in the class including those specified in the programme. Other materials are provided for you to try out. So no need to worry about bringing in the right things!

Models tip: voluntary donation at the end of the class - suggested amount 60p.

Facebook Group Link up with others connected with the classes. Search for the Facebook group Cambridge Life Drawing and send a request to join.

Further questions? Call me on Cambridge 01223 571816