Life Drawing

Trying Something New: My First Life Drawing Experience

As an artist, you might think that drawing should come naturally to me.

But there’s something I’d never actually done before…

Life drawing.

I’ve spent years painting and creating abstract artwork, experimenting with colour, texture, layers and movement. I’m comfortable picking up a paintbrush and seeing where it takes me.

But drawing the human form?

That was completely new territory.

And, if I’m honest, that was exactly why I wanted to try it.

Why I wanted to learn something new

I think it’s really easy to get comfortable doing what we already know.

We find the things we’re good at, we stick with them and, before we realise it, we can stop challenging ourselves creatively.

Lately, I’ve been wanting to learn new techniques, experiment with different ways of working and simply give myself permission to be a beginner again.

Life drawing seemed like the perfect opportunity.

There was something quite exciting about going into a room knowing that I wouldn’t necessarily know what I was doing.

No expectations.

No finished painting to produce.

Just me, a sketchbook and the opportunity to learn.

Drawing something I’ve never drawn before

The human form is incredibly challenging.

There are proportions, movement, shape, perspective, light and shadow to consider. And when you only have a few minutes to capture a pose, there isn’t much time to overthink it.

Which, actually, I loved.

Instead of worrying about creating a perfect drawing, I found myself concentrating on what was in front of me.

Looking.

Observing.

Making marks.

Trying something.

Getting it wrong.

Trying again.

It reminded me that creating art isn’t always about producing something beautiful or finished.

Sometimes it’s about learning.

Being a beginner again

One of the nicest things about trying something completely new is that you get to experience that feeling of being a beginner.

There’s no pressure to be brilliant.

Nobody expects you to have all the answers.

You’re simply there to have a go.

And I think there’s something quite freeing about that.

As artists, we can sometimes put so much pressure on ourselves to create work that we’re proud of. But experimenting gives us the chance to step away from that pressure.

A drawing doesn’t have to become a painting.

It doesn’t have to go on Instagram.

It doesn’t even have to leave the sketchbook.

It can simply be part of the process.

The people you meet along the way

Another thing I really enjoyed was being surrounded by other creative people.

There’s something lovely about being in a room with people who are all there for the same reason – because they enjoy making things, learning and being creative.

You can chat, share ideas, look at how other people approach the same subject and pick up little tips and techniques along the way.

And you don’t necessarily have to know anyone when you arrive.

You’re simply surrounded by like-minded people.

For me, that social side is just as important as the drawing itself.

It’s a chance to step away from everyday life for a couple of hours, meet new people, talk about art and simply enjoy being creative.

You don’t need to be an artist

And this is probably the biggest thing I want to say about life drawing.

You don’t need to be an artist to try it.

You don’t need years of experience.

You don’t need to know how to draw.

You don’t even need to think you’re particularly creative.

You just need to be curious enough to have a go.

I think we often put unnecessary rules around creativity.

“I’m not artistic.”

“I can’t draw.”

“I’d be terrible at that.”

But what if you ignored all of that and simply tried?

You might surprise yourself.

Give yourself permission to try something new

Perhaps you’ve always fancied trying pottery.

Or life drawing.

Or photography.

Or painting.

Maybe you’d love to join a book club, learn to dance, try a new craft or simply meet some new people.

Whatever it is, perhaps this is your little reminder that you don’t have to be good at something to enjoy it.

You can try something simply because it interests you.

You can be a complete beginner.

You can make mistakes.

You can laugh at the things that don’t quite work.

And you can enjoy the experience without worrying about where it might lead.

For me, life drawing wasn’t about suddenly becoming a figurative artist.

It was about stepping outside my comfort zone, learning something completely new and enjoying the process.

And sometimes, I think that’s exactly what we need.

A couple of hours to switch off.

To put the phone away.

To stop thinking about everything else.

To meet some lovely people.

To make something with our hands.

And just be present in the moment.

So, if there’s something you’ve been thinking about trying, maybe this is your sign to give it a go.

You don’t have to be an artist.

You don’t have to be experienced.

You just have to start