Free your creative self with Jo Harris and learn the art of Expressive Life Drawing.
Unleash your creativity with Jo Harris in this vibrant and energetic Expressive Life Drawing weekend workshop. Designed for those with some experience in Life Drawing, this course is perfect if you’re feeling stuck or looking to explore a more instinctive and dynamic approach to drawing. Jo’s teaching focuses on letting go of perfectionism and embracing bold, experimental mark-making to rediscover the joy of creativity.
Over the weekend, you’ll learn how to capture movement, character, and energy in your drawings, moving beyond rigid techniques and focusing on the expressive possibilities of line and form. Jo will encourage you to work on large-scale pieces, mixing materials and experimenting with techniques like splattering, scribbling, and scratching to create vibrant, powerful works. You’ll explore how to convey the essence of a figure with energy and confidence, learning what to emphasize, what to leave out, and how to bring your drawings to life.
Jo’s 25 years of Life Drawing experience, infectious enthusiasm, and ability to adapt her teaching to suit each individual make this workshop a unique and rewarding experience. She will help you break out of your comfort zone in a supportive and inspiring environment, providing personalized feedback and guidance throughout. The weekend will be packed with live demonstrations, creative exercises, lively life models, and invaluable insights into the art of expressive drawing.
COURSE DETAILS
This 2 day course includes:
- Two full days of tuition (10am-4.30pm)
- A range of paper and interesting materials to experiment with
- Energetic, attentive and lively guidance for every student, provided by Jo Harris
- A professional Life Model to draw from
- New perspective to approach your drawing practice
- Step-by-step talks and demonstrations
You will learn:
- How to capture the essence of a human form on paper
- How best to use a whole range of drawing and painting materials
- How to lean into your own instincts and be gestural with your mark-making
- How to make bold choices in colour combinations, draughtsmanship and material use, and how to be ok with that, even if they don’t always work out!
In this professional artists’ studio
- Energetic, attentive and lively guidance for every student, provided by Jo Harris
- Step-by-step talks and demonstrations
- Fellow artists to share the learning experience with
- Frequent refreshments – tea, coffee & biscuits included
- Beautiful countryside setting
Suitable for?
Anyone with even a basic knowledge of Life Drawing – not ideal if you are totally new to it.
Students aged 17 +
Pre course prep:
- You will be sent an automated email on booking which prompts you towards documents that help you prepare for your time here. If this does not happen then please email James before the course.
- All materials and paper are provided, it might get a bit messy so if you have overalls, old shirt or apron, we recommend bringing them.
This course is for you if:
- You want to learn to loosen up and ditch the need for perfectionism
- You want to push yourself out of your comfort zone
- You want to learn how to create expressive life drawing
- You want to explore materials you may not have thought to use
- You want to enhance how you feel about all of your artistic practice (not just Life Drawing), this workshop can alter your mindset in all areas of your work
- You want to have fun and learn lots with a group of other like-minded artists in a beautiful environment.
Beyond The Course
Having completed a Phoenix Studio course many of our students choose to explore what they’ve learned and might want to take it further. They may come on another weekend course here at the Phoenix Studio, alternatively Jo also teaches an array of workshops and courses at her own studio in Henley-on-Thames (also in Oxfordshire). We are more than happy to help and advise you in taking those next creative steps!
Need accommodation?
If you are travelling from further afield and would like to stay in the area for your visit then have a look at our recommended list of local B&Bs and hotels.
ABOUT THE TUTOR
Jo Harris
Jo Harris is a lifelong artist whose work radiates energy and joy. Renowned for her experimental approach, she blends diverse materials—pastels, charcoal, inks, acrylics, and collage—into striking, dynamic pieces. Her bold gestural marks and attention to detail create truly eye-catching art.
Jo’s passion for creativity shines in her teaching. Her infectious enthusiasm inspires students, and her personalized guidance helps them unlock their full potential. Explore her website for more about her work and artistic journey.
“I LOVE teaching at the Phoenix Studio, if you’ve been before you’ll know why & if you haven’t had the opportunity yet – well, you are in for a treat! When you’re drawing in an expressive way, what you need is space, not just physically, but mentally too and there’s something so special about this beautiful place – it encourages a freedom of spirit – which is absolutely the PERFECT mindset when you’re doing my kind of Life Drawing!
I’m so looking forward to teaching these workshops, they’re particularly personal to me as it’s the way I most love to express my own creative energy on to the paper when I’m Life Drawing – I hope you’re coming along – it’s going to be a really special one!“Jo Harris – Course Tutor
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