Life Drawing Classes

Draw · Joined: 20 May 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Brisbane

Where can I find life drawing classes in Brisbane? I used to go to BIA on Tuesday nights but I'm not sure if they still run them. Question

Brad Buchel · Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 1:58 pm Post subject: Life Drawing Classes in Brisbane

Hi Mark,

Heres the Brisbane Art Instituites website: http://www.brisart.org to see if they still run them.

Or alternatively for the other art schools in Brisbane check out:

QUEENSLAND ART SCHOOLS
http://www.art-search.com.au/qld/information_education/art_schools/

AUSTRALIAN ART SOCIETIES
http://www.art-search.com.au/organisations/art_societies_groups/

AUSTRALIAN ART CLASSES
http://www.art-search.com.au/information_education/art_classes/

All the best Smile

Brad.

Laudesan08 · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 143 Location: other

The watercolour Society of Qld has life Drawing classes every Monday Morning..

http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~watercolour/index.htm

There is also a group called The Half Dozen Group of Artists at Kangaroo Point. They meet in a Catholic Church on Mains Road.. They also have life drawing classes..

Hope this helps..

Check out this website, he is a member and can give you details.. http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/boyd-art/

Julie · Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 104 Location: Woodford

Yes the BIA still runs untutored life classes Tuesday nights, as I went to one for the first time this week, only cost me $5!
About 18 people there, easels, boards and tables provided. Tea & coffee facilities available, bring your own materials. Mixed group of skills from first timers to somewhat professionals. Apparently different models every week, pot luck male/female. 6.30pm-9.30pm Each Tuesday BIA, Grafton Street, Winsor.
Might see you there.
Julie

Laudesan08 · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 143 Location: other

Hey cool Julie. Alan says he will take me over next tuesday the 23rd. Will you be there???

~

Julie · Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 104 Location: Woodford

Hi Laudeson,
This week I might not be there. Sad

I've got a bit of a cold, the coffing might be a bit distracting Laughing

Have been going nearly every week and really enjoing the practice. Some models are better than others, we had a great one last week. It may become difficult to regularly attend soon, as I've picked up a 5mth contract for the Woodford Folk Festival and will probably have to stay up there. Will try and arrange to stay in Brissy on Tuesday nights. Confused

If I start to feel better by Tuesday, I'll see you there, would be great to meet up. Enjoy it anyway. Take water with you, the tap water is ordinary.
Cheers
Julie

Laudesan08 · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 143 Location: other

Julie, I did go, was different.. Very Happy

Only about 8 men there, all concentrating very seriously..

I found it strange at first, and found the 60 sec warms up hard. But after a while I really enjoyed it, and am going again next week.. Please come too!!!!

Julie · Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 104 Location: Woodford

Hey Laudesan, Sorry I didn't make it, glad you went tho. I will be going next week for sure! Will see you there. Sounds like a small group this week! Was the model good? What equipment did you take? I usually drag along charcoal, gesso and wax medium, plus fixative, a must!. I often prepare a few sheets of cartridge with gesso the day before, if you work with charcoal, it gives a beautiful finish.
Anyway looking forward to meeting you. I'll probably be the only other woman there, curly honey red hair, hard to miss.
Julie

Laudesan08 · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 143 Location: other

You can't miss me with my red and yellow hair Rolling Eyes

I took my watercolours and my sketching pad last week, as i rang up and was told I could do it in wc. Well I only sketched, as they laughed at me taking my watercolours.. Embarassed

I have a handful of graphite pencils, a charcoal pencil, even a couple of watersoluable pencils. I shall take them all next week..

My friend in Canada suggested I use conte crayons', she uses them in life drawing, and sshe sent me a picture she did, loks really good. She uses coloured paper..

Why do you use wax medium?????

What sort of fixatve do you use and why??

I am very new to this..

Judy-Joy (JJ)

Julie · Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 104 Location: Woodford

Hi Laudesan,
Can't believe they laughed at you, how rude! Surprised

The first week I went, I took my whole trolley! Plus bought a ream of A1 paper at the store there! I needed two people to help me back to the car! Embarassed

I use wax medium, sometimes, to give my willow charcoal a bit of a 'fluid' look. It takes weeks to dry properly, but it does give a nice finish, and 'sets' the charcoal onto the paper, without the use of fixative. The colour of it also adds some warmth to the paper. The fixative I use is just a spray on, so the charcoal won't rub of when I pile the drawings on top of each other. Willow charcoal is beautiful to work with, but very messy at times. It might just be the way I work, but it always seems to get on my face, not to mention the crackling under my feet, I'm a bit heavy handed sometimes, alot ends up on the floor. Embarassed

I don't usually use pencils in life classes, I find the line is a bit predictable. Sad

Willow charcoal, to me, seems more organic in it's line, and for me sometimes the work is all about the mark on the page, not just the subject. Very Happy

I use the life class, not so much as a chance to compile references, but as a direct source of inspiration for work. Plus the practice of drawing from life is fantastic discipline. I have only been doing this for a couple of months, two weeks in Toowoomba(Mcgreger summer school) and 15 years ago at uni we had a few classes. So I'm no expert by any means, I just love to do it!
I no longer worry about what the others do in class. It's your time and you shouldn't feel bad about working in whatever medium you want! Just go for it! I'll be there tomorrow nite, will see you there then?

Laudesan08 · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 143 Location: other

Yes I will be there.

I shall take all my drawing equipment and you can help me decide which is best for me.. Very Happy

I have not had formal drawing lessons so really have no idea what I am supposed to be using.

I wont be taking my watercolours this time..

I did buy some newsprint to take this week tho'.

I need to get some pastel fixative to "set" my watercolours before I varnish them..

Thanks Julie I can't wait to meet you in person.. Smile

Cheers Judy-Joy (JJ) or Judy if you prefer.. Wink

Laudesan08 · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 143 Location: other

Hey Julie what happened to you.. Smile

I bought ssome wilow sicks, I really love them, thankyou so much for letting me use your..

Had a great guy model this week, was a heap of fun. He is going to be the model next week too..

Class was loosened up some too, good night..

Eliza · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 29

The Half Dozen Club have several sessions every week. I go to the one on Friday morning (mind you, I haven't been for about a year!). They are at Kangaroo Point - under the hall at St Mary's Anglican Church. The Half Dozen is the oldest art club in Brisbane. They also have days when they go out and paint landscapes on location. I think they have three life drawing sessions a week, but I'm not sure.

I found the BIA very stiff. I said something to my friend who had come with me one night and was told to "SHUUSH!". I haven't been back since.

In case you are wondering a model gets about $23 an hour (unless it's gone up in the past 2 years). So if you get a few people together you could always start your own group at a time that suited you. If you want more info about that just ask. I use to model and know the agency.

Laudesan08 · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 143 Location: other

The life classes at the BIA have loosened up some. He still doesn't like you to talk while drawing, and I can see his point, it is hard work and takes a lot of concentration, but during the breaks they have loosened up. Can't help but not with me there LOL..

The Half Dozen Group is the second oldest.. Very Happy

They split from the watercolour society years and years ago when they didn't like what was going on. 6 members left and made their own art club, hence the name Half Dozen Group of Painters.. Smile

I wanted to go there, but couldn't find it.. Sad

It costs about 30.00 a year to join and 7.00 I think for each time you go to class regardless of the model being there or not.. That was what I was told..
You can't find their number in the phone book either.. Sad

I had it written down but can't for the life of me find it.

The Watercolour Society has Life Drawing Classes Monday mornings and Evenings.. They have just moved to beaut new premises at Nundah. We are going to check them out tomorrow. http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~watercolour/index.htm

I was thinking about getting a group of folks together for life classes at my house..
I have a huge studio downstairs, it is a work in progress at the moment, but I could fit at least 6 people around my big art table.. Hmmmmmmmmmm worth thinking about hey.. Smile

Eliza · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 29

Where are you located? If you were pretty central I'd be interested.

The half dozen group takes practice to find. You go along riverside drive (I think that's what it's called - along the cliffs at Kangaroo point) towards the bridge. Keep in the left lane when you come to the lights. After the lights go slow - it's a driveway on the left only a few metres past the lights - next to TAFE (I think that is what that big building is). If you reach the hospital you have gone too far. Don't go too far. To turn and go back you have to go all the way under the bridge and up the other side, then do a funny u turn at TAFE again. lol

Once you find it though you will be right. I was thinking of going this Friday again.

You don't have to pay a yearly membership to go to the sessions. I think it's a dollar or two extra if you aren't a member, but they provide cake! (mostly cake, sometimes biscuits if they forget to buy the cake).

They are a very friendly bunch. If they sit quietly and draw for awhile after awhile someone will say "hey, we haven't said anything for 1/2 hour!!!!" and they will all laugh.

They have a portrait day too, where the model is in one pose for the full lenght of time. Sometimes they have costumes, sometimes normal clothing, sometimes nudes. I think that's Tuesday.