The Creative Doctor will see you now! This course is part of a series of standalone one-day clinics taught by the drawing tour-de-force that is Jake Spicer.
The idea behind these Friday sessions is to administer a ‘creative booster jab‘ to artists of all disciplines and levels of experience. For life drawing is to artists what training is to an athlete, and in order to bring your A-game to your art, you need to be fit and limber.
So if you’re feeling a bit stuck in a rut or wanting to raise your ‘art heart beat’ a little then we guarantee that these are the sessions for you. You will not only leave feeling inspired but also with the confidence to take your newfound skills further!
Each session will focus on a specific aspect, in this case it will be Weight and Volume.
Jake will introduce a wide range of approaches to interpreting the body in drawn marks. We’ll start the day with playful exercises that aim to capture the rounded qualities of the body, making swift, gestural drawings from short poses, using set exercises to interpret the poses in playful marks.
In the second part of the day we will explore the volume and weight of the figure with exercises that help us to describe the form of the body, exploring cross-contour and markmaking the describes the organic curves of skin.
Over the course of the day we will work from a series of pose lengths, from energetic 5 minutes poses through to more considered hour long studies.
COURSE DETAILS
This course includes:
- A series of structured demonstrations and exercises
- Working from a life model who will pose for varying lengths of time
- Relaxed & attentive one-to-one guidance for every student
Suitable for?
This course is suitable for anyone, regardless of experience or interests – we generally advise 14 years old+ though. Please note that the life model will be undressed throughout the class.
What is included in the price?
- A full days’ teaching (10am-4pm)
- A professional life model
- Tea, coffee, biscuits/cake
- Drawing materials: A2 & A3 cartridge paper, Charcoal, Pencils, Graphite sticks & Erasers
- Use of a beautiful purpose-built art studio with all the equipment & materials you will need
- Beautiful countryside setting
This course is for you if:
- You want to draw with more confidence and learn new skills
- You want to improve your understanding of the human form
- You want a fresh perspective and approach on your own artistic practise.
- You want to get away from it all and immerse yourself in a fun, creative environment
- You love creativity
Beyond the course
After the course you will be armed with many new skills to incorporate into your own art.
There are opportunities for you to continue to explore these at the Phoenix Studio (during our monthly life drawing classes and our other courses). We can also point you in the direction of other classes and venues local to you.
Jake has also written a number of excellent, accessible books about drawing if you wish to study his teachings further, signed copies will be available to buy from Jake during the weekend.
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
Jake Spicer
The leader of the Drawing Circus, Jake is passionate about drawing and is equally passionate about teaching.
He’s a busy man – teaching multiple classes around the country – in Brighton, at West Dean College, touring with the Circus, The Camden Arts Centre and The National Portrait Gallery.
He has written numerous globally aclaimed books about drawing, has a monthly column for Artist & Illustrators magazine and gives lectures and classes on the applications of drawing as a tool for understanding, communication, artmaking and as a vehicle for social good. He is also undertaking a long term study into the fundamental processes of drawing and also paints when he can.
In the past he has worked with the BBC, ITV, Brighton University, The Big Draw, The Old Market Theatre, Creative Futures, Playgroup Festival, Brighton and Hove Museums & RAM, among others.
You can have a look at his website here.
‘It’s so easy to think that you know the human form – I mean you look in the mirror at one everyday! Watching Jake teach on is first weekend here made me realise just how little I knew or assumed to be a certain way when it wasn’t. I am sure that anyone who attends this class will have similar revelations and approach their art in a more considered way having done this course!’
James Ort – Studio Manager
I’ve been to many portrait courses and this one superseded them all 🙂
Jake was an excellent tutor. The course was well constructed and I picked up lots of useful tips. Our model – Manko – was the best I have worked from. Not only was she beautiful and very interesting to draw – she held poses and returned to poses with great accuracy. I would recommend this course to beginners or more practised artists.Pam Esseen
Unbelievable that my first drawing workshop was at this amazingly creative and peaceful centre. And more impressive, I was able to draw many portraits in a relaxed and comfortable way. Jake, the artist, was able to develop and extend my skill with much ease. Manko, the model, was superb with her striking poses which were held still as we drew with the most apt background music. The whole centre operated with much ease, love and creativity. Thank you.
Anon
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