Summer School: Drawing the Natural World with Sarah Simblet

Over the course of three days Sarah will introduce a variety of approaches to drawing from a wide range of natural forms, using her teaching collection of taxidermy, skeletal specimens and botanical subjects as a subject for our drawings. Using examples from her own sketchbooks and her published works Sarah will help us find our own personal routes into drawing from nature, using mark-making as a means of exploring the natural world and exercising our sense of wonder.

This workshop will be suitable for all abilities, including beginners with limited drawing experience; it will be supported by a second tutor, Jake Spicer, who will be on hand for further guidance.

If you’d like to make it a full 5-days of drawing, you might want to consider coming to Chloe Briggs’ two day weekend workshop: ‘Alternative Anatomy of a Flower’ beforehand, followed by this workshop with Sarah Simblet.

What to Expect

Over the three days Sarah will introduce exercises for tackling a wide range of subjects, informed by her extensive knowledge of anatomy, botany and dendrology. She’ll be providing personal feedback through the three days as well as introducing the materials she uses in her own drawings.

What to Bring
All materials are included with this workshop. You may wish to bring a sketchbook for taking notes and a plastic folder for taking home your drawings.

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. 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!

Cancellations

Bookings are non-refundable. If you are unwell with a contagious illness you may not attend the class - you can request a refund here on Eventbrite and we can issue a full refund, minus Eventbrite's fees. If you are unable to attend, please do get in touch with us on [email protected] to discuss the options for transferring your place to another attendee.

Host or Publisher Draw Brighton