Life Drawing

In this course you will work directly from the nude figure to explore and develop observational skills and perceptual awareness, and understand the balance between observed figuration and abstract formal qualities.

All fundamental drawing elements will be explored, including composition, structure, space, and the human form. Special attention will be given to dynamic and gestural approaches to figure drawing using graphite and charcoal.

Noel's approach is mindful of each student's abilities and understanding of drawing, supporting creative growth and the development of individual skills and interests.

Throughout the course, students will receive guidance and feedback while creating artworks from life models posing for varying lengths of time. Working from both short and extended poses, students will produce drawings that range from energetic sketches to sustained and detailed studies.

By the end of the course, students will have learned the fundamentals of life drawing, deepened their spatial awareness, and gained confidence in drawing from the figure.

* NAS Short Courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over. The NAS Art Club is open to students between the ages of 15 - 17 years of age. 

* Drawing and painting short courses may be held in upstairs studios. If access to stairs is not suitable, please contact us at short.courses@nas.edu.au 

* What to bring? Please refer to the list of required materials in the Art Materials field below. 

Students must supply their own art materials, please refer to the list below.

• Willow charcoal (various sizes), compressed charcoal and a range of lead pencils (2B–6B)
• Charcoal pencils (1 each of hard, medium, soft)
• Hard eraser
• 2 large bulldog clips
• Masking tape
• Block of cartridge paper – A2 size
• Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus.

Other papers will be purchased throughout the course, available from Parker's Art Supplies on campus.

Noel Thurgate is an artist with over 30 years’ experience in teaching drawing, including nine years as Head of Drawing at the National Art School. His work draws inspiration from the figure and the landscape, and his outdoor and studio drawings explore and develop the underlying abstract qualities found in nature. Noel has exhibited since 1975 in shows ranging from the Young Contemporaries, the Archibald Prize and the Kedumba Drawing Award to numerous solo exhibitions, and his work is held in state, regional and institutional collections.