Heather Spears - Intensive Life Drawing

INTENSIVE LIFE DRAWING

This course is the same as that presented in the book Consider the Radiance. It consists of a combined series of experiments in visual attention. There is also ample time for students to draw as they choose, but these periods occur in a framework of discussion so students learn more about how they approach, relate to, and work through their drawings, thus increasing their awareness and understanding of process. Students should agree to risk change in their methods and expectations, at least for the duration of the course.

Spears instructing students The exercises are effective in persuading the student to abandon learned responses. They include work with the physical act of seeing, with perception, with the psychological hindrances to clear vision, with the physical response, with duration and movement, with conceptualization, and with the translation into line. All are directed towards restoring balance, clarity, and accuracy in perception, and towards the grasp of wholeness and unity necessary to drawing from life. Student responses are always individual, becoming more personal as attention is awakened. Many master drawings are provided as reproductions for study, as well as quotations and texts. The course is equally valuable to the beginner and the advanced student or professional artist.

Materials: Students can use any materials they like. But materials should be provided and can be used from the start. Conté sticks, soft black or brown: compressed charcoal sticks for example Koh-i-noor # 2 (softest), plenty of cheap paper or newsprint about 55x75cm, drawing boards for this size.

Student drawing life model Models for all sessions.