2016 UQAM Life Drawing Intensive
So hey! As you’re reading this, I’m heading off to the South Carolina Water Media Society to jury their 2016 exhibition, and to teach a weekend workshop. After that it’s Savannah Georgia for three days leading a sketching group in-and-around their historic district. So it’s time to post-date some of the material I’ve been scanning and organizing.
Remember when I said I was taking a week long life drawing workshop?
Here it is!
Twice a year (Spring and Fall) Local artist Lyne Paquette organizes a 5 day event at the Université du Québec à Montréal called the Atelier Intensif, where you are offered the chance to draw or paint all day for five days straight.
Fast poses in the AM and long poses in the afternoon. Prices range from $120 for the full five days to $15 per individual sessions a-la-carte. Tables or Easels can be supplied, and your space is reserved with your deposit. Email: lyne(at)lynepaquette(dot)com to find out more.
I’ve done it twice before: 2014, and when we first came to town in 2010. It’s such a great opportunity. I always regret if I can’t go. Besides the fact it’s very reasonably priced (yay, Montreal!) it’s just tremendous to get that much continuous time to paint.
You can do things on the fifth day that you can’t do on day one. Your instincts are honed by that steady practice.
I suppose that is exactly what I said about the Urban Sketchers symposium. But it’s really true. If you can carve yourself out a week to paint all day, every day – I think you’ll feel the difference it makes.
I don’t mean to be discouraging to people who are only able to do an hour or two here and there. (Like myself on most weeks!) It *is* the only way to fit art into our busy lifestyles.
But maybe, if you think of it like taking a holiday, or going on a spiritual retreat, or some kind of luxury spa vacation, you’ll be able to justify that time.
I honestly think doing something like this can jump you months ahead in your artistic development.
Looking back at this darker skinned male model – I realize now, this was exactly what I did when faced with the somber brick architecture in Manchester. Of course I had not thought of this sketch at that time – but this very solid, deeply saturated first wash, followed by shadow over top – it’s the same approach.
I’ve been taking about Tea, Milk and Honey layers for a long time. But I’m still learning my own tricks! The mantra: More Pigment Less Water keeps sounding better and better.
So there you go – evidence of what I always say. Figure drawing can teach you everything you need to know about painting.
(Well, ok, not perspective – but my stance is you don’t *really* need to know perspective).
Take a minute to look at that pose. Look at that pose!
The alignment of weight bearing points on chin, elbow, and foot? and the repeating shapes of bent arm and knee? All that with a mood of melancholy – you are looking at one great model there.
That is not me inventing things – that is her putting it into the pose for us.
This class is ‘in the round’ (360 around the model stand) – I feel like I won the lottery being in the exactly right spot for this one.
So I want you to click to enlarge this final image.
I think I had some good stuff this season. But the entire week really came down to this last sketch. It’s the one out of this set that I really think is a painting, rather than a tinted drawing.
There was a lot going on right about the time I took this course. I really wasn’t ‘up for it’ in some ways. (Just overworked for the last few months). In fact – I think I went backwards between 2014 and this year.
Actually I can tell you exactly the reason I think that. In 2014 I went with my friend Emily Leong, and she (being an abstract watercolorist) motivated me to leave my pencil behind. If I have the damned thing, I’m going to draw with it. I have such an instinct for contour drawing I can’t resist going for the sharp edged line.
Regardless – it finally came together for me in this one. Which was the point really! Even though I didn’t have the time, I knew I needed this week as a break – and a refresher course – between everyday work, and heading off to Manchester and Ireland.
Next few posts I’ll show you those Ireland paintings I keep teasing you about :) I like to build up some suspense!
~m
Citizen Sketcher 
These are gorgeous – absolutely stunning.
Another wonderful insight into your artistic world, Marc – thank you!
Hi Marc- These are great- so fresh and not overworked. I attend a weekly life drawing open studio and usually work in pencil. Can I ask what color you are using for these caucasian flesh tones? Mine usually skew so orange…
Hey Elaina – I start with Perlyne Maroon and add all kinds of things – from Grey of Grey to Raw Umber Violet, or Neutral Tint.
Perspective with the figure is called foreshortening—and you do it very well!
absolutely blown away! So beautiful!
Wonderful..
So when I can’t get to life drawing I found an online life drawing session. The models are amazing!!!! It is called croquis cafe–www.onairvideo.com. Free and fantastic!
Years ago, I supplemented my income as a model for a life drawing class. It is HARD work, but some of the most fun I have ever had. Thinking of poses I wanted to try, making sure I could hold them for the length of time. Choosing props to go with my “Story”. Seeing the drawings afterwards. Now that I think of the great time, I may have to go try it again!!!
Morning Waters
what a treat for the eye in every way – as someone above said … absolutely stunning
I looked up information on the Atelier Intensif, but didn’t find a link to a site describing a course such as you referred to. I’d like to look into this in the future – Can you provide contact information? Thanks Marc.
Let me just confirm I can give out the email of the organizer, and I’ll see about posting the details shortly. To my knowledge they don’t have any official website, as it sells out by word of mouth. I’ll get back to you on that:)
Hey Gayle, here’s the info from Lyne: “Prices range from $120 for the full five days to $15 per individual sessions a-la-carte. Tables or Easels can be supplied, and your space is reserved with your deposit. Email: lyne(at)lynepaquette(dot)com to find out more”. – If my schedule allows I might see you there next time!
Really appreciate your taking the time to get this information Marc. I’m putting this on my “bucket list” for sure!
I had the same question as gaelle1947 and others, so thank you for the contact info, Marc. Is it taught in French? Will I need to brush up on my rusty high school and college French to understand what’s happening?
Thanks!
Cassandra
Oh theres no instruction, just a facilitaor to run things and time the models :) Its all about out practice :)
Got it. Thanks! If nothing else, it’s a week long reason to hang out in Montreal!
True dat!
Let us know if you come for the next one – we can hang out :)
I didn’t find a link to the Atelier Intensif, Some websites came up, but didn’t appear to be the same as what you described. Could you send contact information? Thanks Marc.
You don’t mention the size of your drawings and paintings. Could you also post where and when and the cost of these intensive drawing sessions and a contact number. Please and thank you.
These are all 1/4 sheet. (11×15″) – though there is plenty of white space on some. Let me just confirm I can give out the email of the organizer and I’ll see about posting the details shortly. To my knowledge they don’t have any official website, as it sells out by word of mouth.
Hey Martha – here’s the info from Lyne: “Prices range from $120 for the full five days to $15 per individual sessions a-la-carte. Tables or Easels can be supplied, and your space is reserved with your deposit. Email: lyne(at)lynepaquette(dot)com to find out more”. – If my schedule allows I might see you there next time!
Oops forgot to mention, I love these paintings and your treatment. Thanks for sharing.
Oh man, you’re right. That last one is the bomb! Glad you took the time to immerse.
These are truly superb. The last one has a Charles Reid flavour. Delicious painting.