'From life' exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts - articles and courses

'From Life' is a new exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts which opened this week. It's about  looking at what it means to different artists to make art from life.  

I've not yet seen it but will certainly be going to take a look as I'm a major advocate of the benefits to be had from drawing from life.

The exhibition is on display in The Sackler Wing of Galleries and Tennant Gallery and runs until 11 March 2017. If coming toLondon over the Christmas Break note that the RA will be closed 24-26 December, and open only from 12-6pm on 1 January.

Drawing from Life at the Royal Academy (Somerset House), 1808,
Richard Harraden, after Thomas Rowlandson and Augustus Charles Pugin,
Etching, aquatint and watercolour, published in Ackermann's 'Microcosm of London' 1 January 1808.
19.7 x 26 cm. Photo (c) Royal Academy of Arts, London

The RA website does contain benefits for those who cannot get to see it just yet.  For example it contains some interesting articles about working from life.

In addition there is an extensive listing of events and some weekend practical courses associated with drawing the life model.

Articles

Here are the articles I think are worth taking a look at

• From pencil and paper to virtual reality: working from life today By Ben Luke - explores how today’s artists are rethinking the seemingly traditional process of working from life in innovative, unexpected ways
• Five quick tips to improve your life-drawing By Mark Hampson - how to draw like a Master!
• Naked truth: the story of female life models at the RA By Amy Bluett - explores why women have always been in the minority at the RA and more likely to be on the pedestal being drawn than being the students doing the drawing.

Associated events

Early dates for events associated with the exhibition (eg Drawing: The Essentials)  are predictably very nearly booked out already if it involves actual drawing! 

I have never ever been able to grasp why it seems to be completely beyond the imagination of the RA to put on a LOT more events of the same nature during an exhibition. If practical art events get booked out quickly it's because there is a demand for them!

They could always try putting more on and contributing some funds to their massive development activities!

These are the practical courses which may still have spaces available:

• There is a second Drawing: The Essentials weekend course in February - and this will take place in the Life Room. I've drawn in the Life Room and it's an excellent place to get a good view of your model and terrible if you are used to drawing using an easel!
• Sarah Simblet (who is an EXCELLENT tutor) is leading a weekend workshop on Anatomical Drawing in March HOWEVER 
• although the website does not indicate this it appears that this might be booked out already. 
• If it is booked out, you could try buying her excellent book Anatomy for the Artist (2001) - which I highly recommend.
• Or check out classes on anatomy which she delivers via the Ruskin School of Art in Oxford. She is the Tutor in Anatomy at the Ruskin School of Art (BFA) and teaches Short Courses in Anatomy, Botany and Drawing on the Summer School Programme.
• A third weekend in mid-March has a rather long and slightly pretentious title - but sounds interesting. In the school of genius: an introduction to historical life drawing approaches is a Weekend-long practical course taught by Head of Fine Art Processes for the RA Schools, Mark Hampson.

participants are offered a rare and exclusive opportunity to experience working in the RA Schools. Experience practical tuition intended to be a palpable historic echo of the RA’s creative and practical artistic methodologies. This will include introductions to working from the original antique classical cast, an insight into basic anatomy techniques, and drawing from both male and female life models in the atmospheric and historic setting of the Royal Academy life drawing room. The course will also include a group visit to the From Life exhibition to view relevant works on display from the RA’s historic collection.

In addition there are number of events and courses which targets those with disabilities.