Experimental Life Drawing

Led by experienced artist and tutor Shelley Morrow, this energetic and experimental life drawing course will be introduce you to a wide variety of approaches to drawing from a model. The busy drop-in sessions are friendly and playful, encouraging creative exploration and expression, suitable for beginners and experienced artists wanting to revitalize their practice. 

We’ll have music playing during the session and a short, chatty tea break halfway through for hot drinks and biscuits. The session is open to all abilities & levels of experience and the tutor will be on hand to offer any help you need; as this is a drop-in session, you can book ahead or arrive on the day and pay by card.  If you have any questions just email Shelley on [email protected]. 

Our monthly themes are as follows:  

Sat 28th Sept 24 - Movement & Gesture

Sat 26th Oct 2024 - Scale & Composition

Sat 30th Nov 2024 - Watersoluble Media  

Sat 25th Jan 2025 - Conté Crayon & Pastel 

Sat 22nd Feb 2025 - Toned Paper 

Sat 29th Mar 2025 - Charcoal 

Sat 26th Apr 2025 - Mixed Media  

Sat 31st May 2025 –  Loosening Up      

Sat 28th Jun 2025 – Guest Tutor 

Sat 2nd Aug 2025 – Guest Tutor  

Sat 30th Aug 2025 – Guest Tutor 

What you need to bring  

Materials are provided for these sessions, although you are also welcome to bring your own materials.  Easels, padded & backed chairs, drawing boards and small tables are all provided on a first come-first served basis. 

Getting to the studio 

Approach New England House from the New England Street side of the building and walk up to the locked blue double doors next to the sign for the ‘Building Manager’s Office’. Wait to be let in or call the number on the door for entry - the studio is on level 5, Unit 1 South, just knock and walk in. There is parking at London Road car park, Elder Place & Trafalgar St car parks; Brighton station is a 5 minute walk from the studio. 

Discounts  

The discounted rate is available for anybody on low income, students or Draw Patreon supporters. Become a Draw Patreon supporter by signing up to the Draw Patreon from just £3.60 per month. You’ll get the in-person concessionary rate, plus Patreons get tiered access to a wealth of resources including our extensive artist’s photo reference library, live online life drawing & portrait drawing classes, online recorded courses and much more. Whether you are a Patreon supporter or not, you can post your drawings on the Draw community Facebook group  and tag  @draw_brighton and #drawbrighton on Instagram.  

Safety & accessibility  

If you have any accessibility needs, please do let us know beforehand on [email protected] and we will do everything we can to make sure you can enjoy the classes here. The building has a wheelchair ramp at the North side of the New England Street entrance and lifts up to level 5 with gender-neutral toilets & accessible toilets on floors 4 & 6 accessed by lift.  

The studio itself has diffuse overhead panel lights for drawers with a spotlight directed at the model. Fixative spraying is not allowed in the studio and is done outside; oil paints are allowed in the studio and there is a small chance they may be used at this session - our air purifier and good ventilation help control fumes. We keep the studio a safe environment by providing: 

• Monitored ventilation (aiming for <900ppm CO2) 

• Air purification with HEPA filters 

• Sick pay for our freelance life models 

• If you have covid, flu or bad cold symptoms we ask you not to attend - you will receive a refund as well as our appreciation! 

Host or Publisher Draw Brighton