Life Drawing for Designers (paid session)

Join artist Sarah Nelson for a life drawing workshop at her Grand Designs hempcrete studio and gallery. We will explore how drawing from direct observation can strengthen the way designers see and what might change in our creative thinking when we spend time in concentrated observation. This event involves some third party costs for time and materials that are covered in the registration fee.

Life drawing requires us to engage with what is actually there rather than what we assume is; each mark relates to another. Proportion, composition and scale are discovered through observation and comparison. The figure cannot exist in isolation, we are always connected to the environment around us.

Through a developing series of rapid and more considered drawings of the human form, we will explore how people experience spaces and objects, and how drawing can influence creative decision making and problem solving. Concentrated drawing demands total focus, giving an opportunity to pause, switch off from daily distractions and create space for fresh perspectives and new ideas to emerge.

No previous life-drawing experience necessary, just bring an open mind.

Working on drawing boards, we will create a series of  figurative charcoal drawings on paper, exploring movement in relation to an interior. The model’s pose will vary between 1-25 minutes to encourage instinctive and more considered responses.

All materials, including drawing boards, are included.

Arrive by 9.50am, short break mid-way for discussion/ reflection as well as Tea, coffee and homemade cake.

About Sarah Nelson

Sarah Nelson is an artist, curator, founder and builder of Sarah Nelson Studio & Gallery, a creative rural hub, in Woodland, Co Durham. Sarah’s build journey, which celebrates the use of natural materials, particularly hempcrete, opened the autumn series of Channel 4’s Grand Designs in 2025.

Sarah’s art practice centres around live drawing; capturing figurative movement, shape and energy at livestock auction marts and horse races. This fluid and instinctive method of working will be at the heart of the ‘Life Drawing for Designers’ workshop which will encourage individual expression and a joy of mark making.

About the venue

This session takes place at Sarah Nelson's hempcrete studio and gallery. You can find about the venue here.

Free onsite parking.

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