Large Scale Life Drawing with Jake Spicer 

In a life drawing class we have a natural tendency to draw at the scale we see our model and the ubiquitous photographic reference material available to us has inclined many of us to work on a small scale. In this one-off weekend workshop, we will explore the possibilities offered by drawing the model life size and larger-than-life size, taking inspiration from historical artists and contemporary practitioners such as Alison Lambert, Barbara Walker and Anita Taylor.

What to Expect

Day 1: After a morning introduction where we will look at large scale figure drawings, we will discuss the impact of looking at large scale work and talk about the different challenges they create for the drawer. We’ll make a series of large-scale portraits, followed by exercises that help us bring more of our body into our mark-making and in the afternoon we’ll be joined by a model who will hold a series of shorter poses. For any students keen to be sociable we will have an evening trip to a pub on London Road after the class.

Day 2: We will work on a single life size figure drawing over the courses of the day, drawing from a model holding an upright pose with tuition and input from Jake throughout the session.

Due to the scale at which we will be working, this workshop has a strictly limited capacity, smaller than a normal Draw workshop. It is best suited to attendees with some existing drawing experience.

What to Bring:

All materials are included with this workshop. You may wish to bring a sketchbook for taking notes, and elastic bands or a folder for taking rolled drawings home.

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 info@draw-brighton.co.uk 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!

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 info@draw-brighton.co.uk to discuss the options for transferring your place to another attendee.