‘At one point, I realised I was drawing Kevin the Carrot’: Lancs Tab tries life drawing

We tortured Up North Arts with our incredible art skills

1 year ago

Life drawing. Practised by artists throughout the ages, and perhaps one of the rawest expressions of art and the human body. Despite the fact it’s been around for so long, the concept might be absolutely terrifying to some people. Sitting in a room with a bunch of other artists drawing an incredibly naked person might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Here’s what happened when two of our writers when to Lancs society, Up North Art’s, life drawing workshop.

‘It’s a professional atmosphere’: Evie’s experience

I think that another concern people might have is that it would be awkward to look at – and draw! – someone who is naked, particularly whilst in a room with other people. This isn’t actually the case. It’s a professional atmosphere and there isn’t much awkwardness in the room due to the large number of repeat attendees to these sessions. Another thing that helps ease any possible awkwardness is the chill music they play during the time drawing.

I have now been to a few life drawing sessions in Lancaster with Up North Arts, and find that it has helped improve my artistic capabilities. I’ve been wanting one of my friends to come to life drawing with me before, so when Isla agreed to come along, I was over the moon. For some unknown reason, not a lot of people wanted to sit in a room with a bunch of incredibly good artists drawing a naked person for two hours.

‘Sitting in a room full of artists really brings out your artistic side’

I had no reason to worry, however, as she was a natural and (hopefully) didn’t find it too awkward. Thankfully for both of us I think, UNA starts the life drawing sessions with 10 one-minute poses to help everyone warm up, and in my case, remember how to draw. Having not drawn for several months over the summer I was a bit rusty, but something about sitting in a room full of artists really brings out your artistic side.

‘I was so convinced I’d laugh’: Isla’s experience

Okay, full disclosure here. When Evie asked if I wanted to do this, it actually didn’t register in my brain what life drawing actually was. I’m pretty sure I was imagining us having to draw a bowl of fruit or something, real year nine art vibes, so I said yes.

And then, on Wednesday afternoon, I realised just what I’d signed up for. There is literally nothing I wanted to do less than sit in a room with a naked person. I’m probably Lancaster’s most awkward person in the world and I was so convinced I’d laugh the second someone took their clothes off.

But I’m a man of my word, and I turned up to LICA with Evie on Wednesday evening, ready to give it a shot. And, you’re not going to believe this, but I was wrong. After entering the room packed with art students, I didn’t laugh when the model took her clothes off because there wasn’t anything remotely funny or awkward about it.

@rdeeleyart

‘Every single person we met was friendly’

In fact, the only awkward thing about the night was that everyone else in the room seemed to be able to draw whereas the stuff I was sketching just looked really wank. At one point, I realised I was drawing Kevin the Carrot, and promptly spent the rest of the pose hunched over my paper so nobody saw. But as the two hours (very quickly!) moved along, I found myself having a much easier time actually giving it a go. I think the best way to go about it is to just try not to think about what you’re drawing that much. But then again, I’m no artist. Maybe there are some LICA students screaming at their screens right now.

The session had a couple of breaks where we chatted with our fellow artists, who were all much more talented than me at this drawing thing. Most people at the session were art students at Lancaster, but not everybody. Every single person we met was friendly and, much to my relief, none of them asked if they could see my Kevin the Carrot drawings. And before you ask, you can’t either.

I loved attending Up North Art’s life drawing session, and I’d love to attend another one if I can. The vibes are immaculate, the people are so lovely, and the act of drawing in itself is incredibly relaxing.

‘An artistic community of people passionate about making art’

A Lancaster Uni society, Up North Arts, has plenty of different workshops and socials on offer, such as speed drawing and open exhibitions. Despite being created by Contemporary Arts students, anyone can join, with no drawing experience required. They run bi-weekly life drawing sessions in LICA CO9 from 6-8pm.

Co-Director of the society, Ross Deeley told us: “Our life drawing is important for developing drawing skills but also building an artistic community of people passionate about making art.”

This applies to people who are both experienced and otherwise, as UNA are always happy to welcome newcomers into their sessions. It’s a very comfortable environment for everyone involved – including the life model. If you feel confident or feel like getting your confidence up, Up North Arts are always looking for more models as part of a paid opportunity, so if you don’t feel like drawing, maybe you could be the next muse of Lancaster Uni.