​​​

A Flexible and Individual Approach

 

The program is designed as an ongoing classes, with a recommendation of at least one year to two years of study. However, single-term attendance is welcome too! The classes are tailored to each student's current level and goals, with a flexible structure.​ 

​

At the beginning of each term, the tutor Shulamit Lambe will give instructions about the different measurements you can use when working from a life model, as well as an introduction to value. However, the real study comes through individual feedback, which is tailored to each student and their pace of development.

​

Over time, we have found that there is no point in overwhelming a student with large amounts of information if it isn't relevant to their current level. The teaching is therefore very individual and gradual. With practice and good guidance, students become able to see more over time and to take on and apply new information as they develop.

We always recommend starting with drawing before moving on to painting as painting is more complex. Therefore, we recommend completing at least one drawing project before moving on to painting.​

​

Who Is It For?

​

This program suits beginners taking their first steps in the art of working from life, to professional artists who want more advanced training. Having students of different levels study alongside each other is really valuable as there is a lot to learn from watching and observing how other students approach different problems.

 

The Studio and Lighting

 

Morning life drawing sessions are scheduled to take advantage of natural light, which provides soft illumination and reveals form, colour, and depth. The life drawing space has a south-facing window and a skylight. South light is widely regarded as ideal for artists because it is stable, cool, and free from harsh glare, supporting accurate observation of both value and colour.

 

The life drawing classes include live demonstrations by tutor and artist Shulamit Lambe, with open discussion of the process through the pose duration.​The class sizes are kept intentionally small to ensure ample tutor time and adequate feedback.

​

Tuesday Focus: Introduction to Drawing & Painting

 

In this class, you will get an introduction to the fundamentals and practical approach to drawing and painting. Through working from still-life setups and studying and copying masterworks, students will develop a deeper understanding of observation from life, building strong structure, analysing true value, colour mixing, and the materials and techniques used to build a convincing drawing or painting.

 

Focusing On:

 

• Understanding different drawing techniques and line quality.

​

• How to approach multi-hour studies of drawing and painting, and how to build them correctly.

​

• Exploring painting techniques such as working with wet-on-dry layers, premier coup, and alla prima.

​

• Learning about edges, brushwork, and surface handling in painting.

​

• Different ways to measure from life.

​

• The principle of the general to the particular and how it transforms the way we see.

​

• How to read the value of an object and achieve a cohesive and true value relationship within the drawing and painting.

​

• Learning which drawing and painting materials to use at each stage and how to use them properly.

​

• Understanding the challenges of working from life and how to overcome them without getting overwhelmed or lost.

​

• What to look for when building a strong composition, including colour and value.

​

• The fundamentals of colour mixing and how to create a sense of space, light, and shadow through colour.​

​

​

Master Copy 

​

Master copies are one of the oldest ways to train in the art of drawing and painting. Throughout the history of art, artists learned by studying and copying great works: Roman artists studied Greek sculpture, medieval artists reworked Greco-Roman models, Renaissance students copied their workshop masters, and by the 18th and 19th centuries, museum copying had become a standard part of academic training. For many students, it was also a practical way to build skills and even earn an income by selling copies.

​

In this class, we’ll treat master copying as both a historical practice and a learning tool. You will learn how paintings are designed and constructed, and how to observe the decisions an artist made.

When deciding what to copy, you’ll choose a painting appropriate to your goals and the areas you want to strengthen.

​

There are two main approaches:

​

Study: 

​

Choose one element from the masterwork and focus primarily on that (e.g. true colour, values, composition, structure, etc.). This can be completed as a one-session study or developed over multiple sessions.

​

Reproduction (Full Copy):

​

A more complete copy that requires careful planning and is usually completed across multiple sessions. This is best done with guidance and supervision.

​

 

Still Life

​

Still-life objects are excellent beginner-friendly studies for working from life, practicing the fundamental approaches to drawing and painting.

They are also excellent for advanced students, as they provide much more room for self-experimentation and material research, allowing students to develop their own projects.

You will have the opportunity to choose from various still-life options and compose your own composition. It will also give you the opportunity to apply and practice various measurement methods on simpler objects compared to a life model, where measuring is much more challenging.

​​

Materials and Facilities

​

Easels, boards, and chairs are provided. Students are responsible for bringing their own materials, including paper and/or canvas. Please refer to the recommended materials list here.

 

 

Tuition (Term 4): $1,800

 

Payment is made in three instalments of $600:

 

• First instalment ($600): Deposit to secure your place in the program.

• Second instalment ($600): Due before the first class commences.

• Third instalment ($600): Due by 2 Nov.

 

Dates (Term 4):

 

Monday: 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 23 Nov, 30 Nov.

Sunday: 4 Oct, 11 Oct, 18 Oct, 25 Oct, 1 Nov, 8 Nov, 15 Nov, 22 Nov, 29 Nov, 6 Dec.

Tuesdays: 29 Sep, 6 Oct, 13 Oct, 20 Oct, 27 Oct, 3 Nov, 10 Nov, 17 Nov, 24 Nov, 1 Dec..

 

Location

 

Gasworks Arts Park (Creative Precinct) 2 Richardson Street, Albert Park

​

​

    Few Important Rules: To help keep the space safe and welcoming for everyone     

 

• The use of any spirit-based solvent, including mediums for oil paint, is forbidden in the class.

​

• If you need to use fixative, please do so only outside the venue space.

​

• Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start to allow time to set up.

​

• If you are late, you will need to wait to enter the class until the next break (which occurs every 20 minutes).

​

• If you need to leave early, please do so only between breaks.

​

• Do not pack up your materials during the session.

​

​

   Model Rules & Etiquette   

 

•  Respect the Model's Space: Do not approach the model while they are unclothed. The stage is the model's space only. 

​

• No Touching: Under no circumstances is touching the model permitted.

​

• No Personal Comments: Do not comment on the model's appearance.

​

• No Personal Inquiries: Do not ask the model for personal contact details or number/socials.

​

• Professional Conduct: All communication must be respectful and professional.

​

• No Photography: Unauthorized photography or recording of the model is strictly prohibited.

​

• Model's Authority: Models are empowered to request that any participant leave immediately if they feel uncomfortable. This decision is final, non-negotiable, and will not result in a refund.   ​

​