Going to first life drawing class today!

[shinji-eva01]

Hello all!

It's been a long time since I've sat in an art class. There is a 5 week adult program for life drawing starting today and I may just attend. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on what to bring, or just any advice at all. What should I concentrate on for my first day? I have strictly used pencil and sometimes charcoal in the past, any other mediums you recommend?

Thanks!

[MindCandyMan]

That's great! Life drawing is awesome fun man. The only insight I could offer is come to the class ready to work. Make the most of every second you are working with the model. It gets tiresome to concentrate every moment on what you are doing but don't let yourself slack off...you can rest after the session is done. On ething I like to do is warm up for the first 5-10 minutes by doing just quick gesture sketches with vine charcoal. Have fun.

[JecaTatu]

Hey man, that's great that you're going to go to a class. As far as materials go, you don't need much. I'd suggest that you get a pad of newsprint. I say newsprint because then you're not afraid of the big expanse of expensive paper. You can say to yourself, this is cheapity cheap newsprint, it doesn't matter if i flub it up. Yah, then as far as drawing medium go, I would suggest that you either go with some colored pencils or charcoal. Not really the chunkity chunk of charcoal, but the pencil kind that unwinds like a china marker. Some people might disagree with me, but here are my reasons. First, having a pencil is great for life drawing because you can get a good variety of line weight. you've got to keep them sharp though, so i'd say take about 5 or so. sharpen them up before class. not in a pencil sharpener either. take a utility knife and whittle the wood off, and sort of sharpen the pencil a little. but not too much. I sharpen my pencils on the last sheet in my pad, you know, just rub that pencil back and forth until you get a good point. then you hold your pencil like a paint brush so you get the movement through your wrist, not your wee hand. yah, and if you have a charcoal pencil that unwinds like a china marker, you just unwind it and sharpen on the back sheet. Why color pencil you might ask me? well, it won't smear that's why, and it won't let you erase. It's my opinion that while drawing from life, you shouldn't worry about erasing until you become a master. So you'll have to learn how to have a light touch and then tighten it up as you make your decisions. Or if you absolutely must erase, use charcoal and a kneeded eraser. So this is what's in my box when i go to a life drawing class
colored pencils
utility knife
unwindy charcoal pencils
kneeded eraser
water (i gets thristy)
cd player (good music gets your right brain moving)
and then i have my pad and portable easle.

hope that helps you!