Experimental life drawing replay: Graphite powder

We are very pleased to be sharing this replay of our first online experimental life drawing session, led by artist and host of Portrait Club, Emma Prothero. This replay was recorded at the live online class and contains all the info you need to take part in this one-off session focusing on using graphite powder in life drawing. It relates to our autumn 'Graphite' materials theme, which you can read more about HERE. From now on, every month we will introduce a new material with a series of exercises that you can practice with her live over Zoom - you'll find full details of the upcoming live events listed below. The replays will now be posted one week after the live sessions.

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Materials you’ll need

• Plenty of white or cream paper of your preferred size, 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, pan pastel applicator, cloth or fabric (or if none of these, your fingers—if you don’t mind them getting messy!) 

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Upcoming experimental life drawing sessions

Full details of the materials required for these sessions will be shared at least one week before the event. Patreon supporters on the Student & Life Drawing tiers will automatically receive the meeting link on the day of the session, there is no need to register or book.

Sun 3rd Nov, 3-5pm (UK time) / Water-soluble graphite 

Sun 1st Dec, 3-5pm (UK time) / Subtractive Painting with Oil Paint  

Sun 5th Jan, 3-5pm (UK time) / Cutouts & collages 

Sun 2nd Feb, 3-5pm (UK time) / Drawing with oil paint 

Sun 2nd March, 3-5pm (UK time) / Mono-printing 

Sun 6th April, 3-5pm (UK time) / Kitchen lithography 

Sun 4th May, 3-5pm (UK time) / Mono-printing with oil pastels 

Sun 1st June, 3-5pm (UK time) / Ink & bleach 

Sun 6th July, 3-5pm (UK time) / Contour-free drawings 

Sun 3rd Aug, 3-5pm (UK time) / Ink wash figures

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Inspirational artist: Tiffany Cole

Tiffany Cole used graphite powder for the smooth tonal transitions in her figure drawing, combining graphite powder, pencil, charcoal and paint in mixed-media works on paper and board, often working from self-shot photos of herself. You can see more of her work on her website HERE and on her Instagram HERE.

Memento / Graphite, charcoal, oil paint, coloured pencil on wooden panel / 30 x 40cm

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Sharing   

If you'd like to share your drawings after the session you can post them up on the Draw Community Facebook group HERE or share them with us on social media here: @draw_brighton #drawbrighton . We always love to see what you've made!   

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Happy drawing!

Jake 

Having trouble viewing the video? You can find a direct link HERE