Local Artist Andrew McCulloch is running five Life Drawing Classes from the 29th July through to 26th August, on Wednesdays from 6 to 8pm. Taking place in the Evison Lounge at Clubs and Socs, you don’t need to trek far from your flat to pick up a new winter hobby. These sessions are entirely beginner-friendly, but also suitable to those with experience.
Critic Te Ārohi had a chat with Andrew, who brings his experience in the design and animation fields to his teaching. As well as this, he has run multiple arts courses around Ōtepoti. He explained to Critic that each session begins with a short demonstration, and hopefully over time students will be able to produce an accurate figure drawing themselves, and be able to recognise light and dark tones. This is done through focusing on the anchor points of anatomy, and the Reilly abstraction method. To find out what that means, you’ll have to go along and see for yourself. No spoilers over here.
Since it’s a life drawing class, there will be a live model present to help learn the techniques. Although this may sound unfamiliar and daunting, Andrew assured that it’s a practical and respectful environment, where you don’t need to be super talented at drawing by any means. These classes are for everyone – time to level up your art skills from just doodling in lectures.
“It’s definitely not about talent. It's about hard work,” Andrew explained. To him, being an artist isn’t something people are “necessarily born with”, but is forged from “diligent effort”. If people are learning to create the right way, then improvement is “basically inevitable – regardless of how talented people believe they are or aren’t.”
According to Andrew, people have been super appreciative of these classes. For students, part of the appeal is that they are able to continue with art, even whilst juggling study and further commitments. It’s great to hear you don’t need to let your degree kill your creative spark, despite what 100 level courses would have you believe.
Andrew has designed the space to offer a sense of calm and relaxation, away from judgement and competitive stress. Despite being a step out of the comfort zone for some, especially when a model displaying nudity is involved, people are generally fine once they are there and can understand how relaxed, supportive and practical the atmosphere is. “It definitely requires a level of maturity and sensitivity, but it has something to offer for everyone," said Andrew. This can definitely provide an intriguing alternative to spending your Wednesday nights wrapped up in the library.
Why not try and explore your creative flair? Bring a friend and try something new, and experience the therapeutic perspective for yourself. Sign-up on the OUSA website – the five sessions cost $190 (all materials are included) and take place on Wednesdays 6-8pm, kicking off in the third week of lectures.
