Life drawing: the naked portrait
Five-week practical evening course
18 September 2019 6.30 - 9.30pm25 September 2019 6.30 - 9.30pm2 October 2019 6.30 - 9.30pm9 October 2019 6.30 - 9.30pm16 October 2019 6.30 - 9.30pm
The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools
£480. Includes all materials, light refreshments, and a wine reception at the end of the final session.
Lucian Freud: The Self-portraits
Terms and conditions
Inspired by the RA's exhibition of works by Lucian Freud, this life drawing course explores the composition and spatial relationships of the human form.
Famous for his depictions of the nude figure, Lucian Freud was an exceptional draughtsman interested in capturing the various physical and emotional states of his subjects, only ever drawing people he had a close relationship with. To coincide with the exhibition Lucian Freud:The Self-portraits, Freud's drawings will be the starting point and inspiration for this practical course, examining the style and techniques used in his work developing tools and techniques for your own.
Artist Vicky Saumarez explores and demonstrates how to use the different media of charcoal, conté, pencil, pen and ink to achieve the accurate shading, composition and delicate attention to detail when drawing the human body. There is also the opportunity to experiment with a range of practical art materials which are provided, allowing you to express your own individual style and develop confidence in your own work.
Each session is structured to include a brief historical introduction followed by intensive life drawing practice from both female and male models. Reference is made to discussions of the nude as opposed to naked depictions of the human form and debates around idealised depictions or something more immediate. After a number of short poses experimenting with different types of mark-making, participants will work on one long study, creating an intimate detailed life drawing of the human form.
About the course
Inspired by the RA’s Lucian Freud exhibition, this five-week evening life drawing course explores the early portrait drawings of Freud before he moved to painting. Working with professional male and female life models, participants can try out the different mediums of charcoal, conté, pencil, pen and ink which Freud used to create his sharply defined drawings.
Participants will be encouraged to dive deep into the history and traditional practice of life drawing.
There will be opportunity for informal discussion and one-to-one feedback with the tutor throughout the sessions.
Participants are advised to bring something to carry their work home in, as there are no storage facilities available.
This course is suitable for all levels.
This course is for you if:
• You have no prior experience of life drawing but have an interest in the history, theory and practice of art more generally
• You have some prior knowledge of life drawing and would like to extend your skills in working from perception and direct observation
• You would like a new perspective in your approach to life drawing
• You would like to develop your skills and ideas within a small group in the Royal Academy’s historic Life Room in the RA Schools
Minimum age 18
Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs.
The number of participants is strictly limited to enable detailed feedback from the course tutor.
£480
Wednesday 18 September – Wednesday 16 October 2019
6.30pm - 9.30pm for each session
• A practical introduction to the Lucian Freud: The Self-portraits exhibition
• The opportunity to work from both male and female professional life models throughout the course
• All specialist practical art materials
• Course learning materials and handouts
• Light refreshments provided during each session
• A drinks reception at the end of the final session
• A certificate of participation upon course completion
About the tutor
Vicky Saumarez
Vicky Saumarez lives and works in West London. She was trained in the late 1980s at the Florentine realist drawing and painting academy of Studio Cecil Graves, the only atelier in Europe at the time where traditional realism was taught. She spent two years there, learning ancient drawing skills and being introduced to the visual language and techniques of painters from earlier centuries. Returning to London, Vicky branched out to experiment in different areas of the arts such as digital media, sculpture and pottery, while continuing to paint and draw, her preferred subjects throughout being portraiture and the human form. Since 2014, Vicky has been teaching academic drawing and painting skills in West and Central London, keen to share the invaluable techniques that she was fortunate enough to have acquired in her Florence years.
About the space
The Life Room
The Royal Academy’s historic Life Room sits at the heart of the RA Schools. Usually closed to the public, this unique and significant space was designed in the 1860s, when the galleries and art school first moved to Burlington Gardens.
The semi-circular seating arrangement, based on an ancient design, traces its British history back to Hogarth’s Academy in St Martin’s Lane, c.1730. Directional light is used to enhance the delineation of the model’s musculature and aid life drawing, which has been practised in this room by generations of Royal Academy artists and students.
Our courses and classes programme
Our varied programme of short courses and classes provides an opportunity to explore subjects ranging from life drawing to the history of exhibitions and arts management, led by expert tutors and practising artists. These courses introduce traditional art-making processes, as well as perspectives on art history, theory and business.
Give this course as a gift
All of our courses can be purchased as a gift for a friend or family member – giving the gift of education and a remarkable experience. To arrange a personalised Gift Voucher, please contact Anna Pojer, Academic Programmes Manager, by calling 020 7300 5684 or email anna.pojer@royalacademy.org.uk