| Course Code | EC2301101 |
|---|---|
| Tutor | Natasha Lien |
| Course Dates | Fridays, 6th October - 1st December 2023 |
| Days | 8 |
| Times | 7.45pm - 9.15pm |
| Experience Level | All Levels |
| Fee | £120 |
| Location | Art Academy London, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HR |
The “Open Life Class” is a relaxed and enjoyable life drawing & painting course with a life model for various poses lasting between one and three weeks at a time. Students will be able to approach the human figure in any way they please and do as many drawings or paintings as they care to pursue with as much or as little instruction as they like. Your experienced tutors will happily guide both beginners and the more experienced painters. Students should feel free to use whichever materials they enjoy the most, whether that is drawing in charcoal or ink or painting in oils or acrylics. Cartridge paper is provided for the course but please bring your own drawing/painting materials.
You can also attend this class as a drop-in and pay £15 per session via our Eventbrite page.
What level is this course?
Choose a Beginners course if you are looking for a broad introduction to the medium you are studying. Students spend time learning the very basics of the taught medium, for example, how to mix colours, use different tools, set up an easel. Our Beginner courses are suitable for students with no prior experience, they tend to follow a more structured path than our other courses, ensuring each student receives the guidance they need from the tutor. Choose a Beginner + course if you are looking to hone your skills, focus on a specific subject area and build your confidence. These courses are suitable for those with some basic skills in and knowledge of the taught medium, but still follow a structured path with guidance from the tutor. Our Intermediate courses are suitable for students who have considerable prior knowledge of the taught medium or have completed a Beginners/Beginners + course with the Art Academy. These courses tend to be less structured and instead are tailored to the classes’ needs and the direction they want to advance in. Choose an Intermediate course if you are looking to improve your skills and have more critical discussions around the work you produce. Choose our Advanced courses if you have considerable knowledge in the taught medium. You are expected to be able to work independently and have critical discussions around your work. Our Advanced courses include our Masterclasses. This course is suitable for all levels. Students can move at their own pace depending on their experience, with as much support from the Tutor as they wish.
Beginner
Beginner +
Intermediate
Advanced
All attendees must be aged 18 or over.
What should I bring?
Paper, masking tape and fixative are all provided in the studio. Students should bring their own drawing or painting materials to the class e.g. charcoal & pencils or brushes & paints. There is a mini shop in the studio that supplies the basics such as canvas boards, paints Zest-it etc).
OIL PAINTERS: The Academy is a white spirit and turpentine free environment and only odourless spirits, such as Zest-it or Sansodor, are permitted on the premises. Students must provide their own spirits, which can be recycled for longevity. We request that you bring 2 small jars (one with a lid, one without) to hold your spirit, and a few cloths rags for brush cleaning (such as an old cotton t-shirt).
If you cannot source your own materials, you can purchase a Drawing, Oil or Acrylic Painting Pack from the Academy. Please contact The Art Academy office to pre-order this for the class, the tutor will then give this to you on your arrival.
A Drawing Pack contains:
- One set of lead pencils (2B, 4B, 6B)
- One box of medium willow charcoal sticks (25 pieces)
- One box of willow charcoal extra thick individual stick
- One stick of chalk One box of compressed charcoal sticks (12 pieces)
- Six Derwent pastel pencils, can be used wet or dry
- One putty rubber in a box
- One eraser
Acrylic Painting Pack (£50.00) contains:
- A set of bristle brushes, both flat and round, suitable for either oils or acrylics
- One tear off palette (9”x12”)
- One palette knife
- One 10″x 12″ canvas board One 10″x 14″ canvas board Two 12″x 16″ canvas boards
- 8 Daler Rowney (System 3) acrylic tubes: Mars Black, Titanium White, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Umber, Sap Green and Yellow Ochre
The Oil Pack contains:
- A set of bristle brushes, both flat and round
- One tear off palette (9”x12”)
- One palette knife
- One bottle of Zest-it (250ml)
- One 10″x12″ canvas board
- One 10″x14″ canvas board
- Two 12″x16″ canvas boards
- Eight Daler Rowney 38ml Georgian oil tubes of Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red, Ultramarine Blue, Coeruleum Blue and Burnt Umber
About Your Tutor
NATASHA LIEN
Natasha Lien trained as an undergraduate at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design in London, and completed her postgraduate at the Princes Drawing School. Exhibitions include The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 2004, 2007, 2008, Dulwich Picture Gallery, The Mall Galleries, The Royal College of Art and The Slade. Natasha has a wide variety of teaching experience, covering all age ranges. Her workshops include Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and various adult education classes. Her work includes drawing, painting and print-making. Her compositions tend to focus on people, landscapes and buildings. She has many interests including perspective, colour, tone, rhythm and form. Natasha’s work is in many private collections, including those of HRH The Prince of Wales.
Location
Mermaid Court
165A Borough High Street
London SE1 1HR
tel: +44 (0) 207407 6969
Nearest Tube/ Rail: London Bridge or Borough (both a 5 minute walk).
Please note that London Bridge has two exits, the most direct route is to follow signs to “Borough High Street”.
Refreshments and Facilities
You are welcome to use our Common Room/ The Barn during break times, where you can prepare hot drinks and/or food.
Students will also be able to use the coffee machine, where free hot water, and paid-for hot drinks are available.
Students are encouraged to bring their own reusable mugs and water bottles where possible.
Further Details
- You will need to have paid in full before the first session of your class. Your place is not guaranteed until we have received full payment. Please book early in order to guarantee your place on the course.
- If you purchased a pack online this will be given to you on the first session of your course upon your arrival. Packs can be purchased on our Materials Page or on the individual course page when you make your booking.
- Please don’t wear your best clothes as there is always a chance you will get messy. If possible bring an apron or overalls.
- All artwork MUST be taken home at the end of the course or it will be disposed of. Paintings that need to dry should be collected within a week. For clay sculptures that need hollowing and firing, you will receive a separate email when they can be collected.
- Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off or is on silent during the class.
- Health and Safety Guidelines will be provided to you at the beginning of your class.
- Sometimes our photographer will pop in to get some images of our classes in progress. We will typically inform you beforehand if photography is taking place during your class; if you do not want to be photographed please let the photographer know!
- To find out more about what’s going on at the Academy follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. If you’d like to share images of your course, your progress or your finished work we’d love to see them! Please bear in mind you must have the permission of tutors, other students and models to photograph them.
- If you would like more information or advice on courses at the Academy please contact shortcourses@artacademy.org.uk.
- For further details please see our Short Courses: Regulations & Policies page.
Image / Damian Fennell
“The tutor was fantastic. She motivated us and had great and positive energy.”
