I am a professional artist. I have run my life drawing classes in London since 1976. They are for people of all abilities from complete beginners to advanced who want to move their drawing and painting on to another level.
People attend for professional reasons, to build a portfolio for application to art school or as an amateur purely for the pleasure of learning to draw and paint – all are welcome. Life drawing equips you to work effectively from any subject, and is invaluable for artists at all levels, whether in figurative or abstract disciplines.
The atmosphere in my classes is encouraging, supportive and focused. There are never more than nine in a class which ensures maximum personal tuition.
Life Drawing Classes and Courses
I work with people on an individual basis and my teaching is appropriate whatever their experience. I teach students how to see and describe the structure and rhythms of the body. You will become more aware of exactly what you are looking at and how you might interpret it in line/tone/colour. I do not impose a style of working so that your own unique form of expression is developed, encouraged by one-to-one tuition.
You can draw or paint in these sessions, working from different models throughout a one-week course. If you are interested in portrait painting these classes will help you.
View an introductory film on Life Painting and Drawing with Rachel Clark
Life Painting
I recommend you have some knowledge of life drawing before you begin life painting. Understanding structure and tone through life drawing will help your painting significantly and allow you to concentrate on mixing and handling paint with more confidence.
I encourage people to paint throughout the day. In the short one and five minute poses people learn to loosen up, explore more possibilities and discover how they can successfully handle the paint. In the long afternoon pose there is time to develop this understanding.
You are welcome to work with any painting medium. I stock oil paints which you can purchase at the studio. You would need to bring your own watercolour, gouaches and acrylic paints.?Find out more here
I run these courses in my large, light, fully-equipped studio across the year. It is based in a converted Victorian Spratts factory in East London, near Canary Wharf and is easily reached by bus, underground or DLR. There is free parking in the area over the weekend and scratch cards are available for parking during the week. For directions please click here
What to bring
Easels and drawing boards are provided. See the What to Bring on a Course page for a full list of materials available to purchase.
Life Drawing Courses – Corporate Clients
Clients book sessions for their staff for many reasons, for example:
- BBC Design Department to rejuvenate their team;
- The Royal National Theatre Scenic Studio to develop individual skills;
- Electronic Arts design team to work on drawings for the Harry Potter computer game for Warner Bros;
- F&C Partnerships plc to promote Team Building
Life Drawing Classes – Testimonials
Here are comments from people who have attended my classes over the years. Please email or phone me if you would like to discuss details further. Telephone: +44 (0)20 7987 8776 / +44 (0) 7528 674 389.
For details of how to find the Rachel Clark studio, see the contact page.
Accommodation
If required I have a list of local London hotels etc. used and recommended by people attending my life drawing courses.