A new monthly class & UK tour next week

Hi everybody,

 We wouldn't normally message with so much news, but it's been a busy start to the new academic year here! By popular request we're starting a brand new monthly experimental life drawing class next Sunday, run by the wonderful Emma Prothero, host of Portrait Club. I will also be on tour in the UK this week and just wanted to share details of the cities I'll be visiting in case you'd like to come say hello. You'll find details of both below:

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Experimental Life Drawing next Sunday

Our new, tutored Experimental Life Drawing session begins next Sunday, 6th October. In this monthly session Emma Prothero will introduce a new material and demonstrate a series of exercises for you to practice, live over Zoom. We’ll be drawing together from reference images from the Draw Patreon photosets, which will be shared on the screen alongside Emma’s live demonstration. If you join live you can share in the conversation and ask Emma questions as we go – we’ll also record the session for anybody who wants to catch up later.

The session runs from 3-5pm UK time on Zoom and open to everybody on the Life & Student Tiers but if you are elsewhere in the world we’d love to have you at our sessions! As always, you can check your local time zone using the converter HERE - pop me an email on info@draw-brighton.co.uk if you need any extra help.  

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What you need for next week

In this session we'll dive into the versatile medium of graphite powder. Guided by Emma , you'll work step-by-step towards a finished drawing, exploring a range of mark-making techniques, experimenting with subtractive drawing methods, and discovering new ways to make lines and shapes with applicators you may not have thought to use with graphite. This energetic, friendly and informative session will introduce you to a new process to bring to the drawing board at your next life class. Here are the materials you’ll need for this session: 

• A minimum of 5 x A4 or 3–4 x A3/A2 pieces of white or cream paper, preferably 140gsm+ and on the smoother side 

• Graphite powder (don’t worry if you don’t have this—Emma will show you how to make it in the session!) 

• A pencil, preferably 4B or softer 

• A sharpening block, fine-grain sandpaper, or a nail file 

• A craft knife 

• A clean palette or surface to pour the powder onto 

• Erasers (bring a variety if you have them!) 

• At least one of the following: a large brush, a piece of cloth or fabric, cotton balls, paper towels, or a medium-sized sponge 

• At least one of the following: a tortillon/blending stump, a make-up sponge applicator, cloth or fabric (or if none of these, your fingers—if you don’t mind them getting messy!) 

If you don’t have the right materials you’re welcome to join anyway and try the exercises with materials you do have to hand.  

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Future sessions 

Sun 6th Oct  / Graphite powder 
Sun 3rd Nov / Water-soluble graphite 
Sun 1st Dec / Subtractive Painting with Oil Paint 
Sun 5th Jan  / Cutouts & collages 
Sun 2nd Feb / Drawing with oil paint 
Sun 2nd March / Mono-printing 
Sun 6th April / Kitchen lithography 
Sun 4th May / Mono-printing with oil pastels 
Sun 1st June / Ink & bleach 
Sun 6th July / Contour-free drawings 
Sun 3rd Aug / Ink wash figures 

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Extra Information  

• To join the session, just grab your drawings materials and log into the Zoom app - test it to make sure that it works with plenty of time before the class starts.  

• Once you’re logged into Zoom you can get access by clicking the link above.  

• Please use your actual name when signing in to the Zoom app. You can choose to share your video or not during the session, although we love to see your face if you’d like to keep your camera on!  

• Please don't take any photos, screenshots or recordings  

• We will make a recording of the session available for you to paint or draw from on the Patreon by Tuesday morning – this is a great chance to develop a longer portrait from the session. The recordings will be available as long as you are a Patreon supporter. Attendees videos won’t be shared on the recording. 

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Book tour

I'll be off touring the UK next week, drawing free 10-minute portraits in different Cass Art stores and signing copies of my books while Lance will be in the Brighton Cass Art store drawing 10-minute portraits and signing copies of the new book we've written together.

• LIVERPOOL Cass Art / Wed 2nd Oct / 10am-12:30 (me)

• MANCHESTER Cass Art / Wed 2nd Oct / 3:30-6pm (me)

• ISLINGTON Cass Art / Thurs 3rd Oct / 12-4pm (me)

• BIRMINGHAM Cass Art / Fri 4th Oct / 11-4pm (me)

• BRIGHTON Cass Art / Fri 4th Oct / 1-4pm (Lancelot Richardson)

• BRISTOL Cass Art / Sat 5th Oct / 11-4pm (me)

If you're in any of those cities, do pop down to see us! It'll be lovely to see some friendly faces! There will also be special deals for students on at all of those stores.

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Thanks everybody! 

Jake