It is twice now that I have had the pleasure of attending one of UBC Okanagan's recently developed Drawing and Discourse club’s (or DAD club’s) live drawing sessions. Each of the free sessions I have attended has been full of wonderful and excited artists, ready to go at the drop of a hat with charcoals, pens, markers, oils, and materials of all sorts. On March 12, I entered CCS 221 and immediately felt the artistic wheel churning. A model, after being asked briefly about what they were comfortable with, posed on the small stage in the middle of the room for the previously agreed upon time — one, ten, twenty, or forty minutes — and the artists were off.
Over a period of about three hours and six to seven poses, each artist is fully present and working hard to put their perspective onto paper. A hush falls over the room, and there is only the sound of music and pen strokes. Such a space is hard to find, people all working together and yet separated by their own ideas.
Being in a room full of other artists and sharing your work is a great way to contrast your own thoughts and ideas about the world. While one person may choose to focus on specific details like the hair, you may have chosen to add details to the arms or legs. There are so many variances across art styles and witnessing them together is like a celebration of those differences. It also gives way to inspiration; if you like what someone did with their piece, you can try it for yourself.
Following each pose period, everyone has a chance to lay their drawings out in the middle by the stage (while the model rests). With all the drawings akimbo, you can walk around and look at all the varied perspectives in the room. Some draw with colours and some with charcoal. Some draw the model from their side and some from their front, all on display on the concrete floor.
From there, the visual arts majors running the event will briefly comment on and provide critique when asked. For any walk of artist, this sort of critique is incredibly helpful, and not often given outside of visual arts classes. These critiques are never angry or pointed, but rather constructive and entirely intended to bring forth your own personal vision.
Developing as an artist in or outside of an arts specific major is difficult. Two of the most important parts of this development are practicing and being around other artists. This club provides both of these stipulations in spades. For a non-arts major, practice time and space may be difficult to find, especially with a heavy course load. Having a dedicated space and time — where you can choose to leave at any point — is a huge help in honing your skills.
For an arts major, burnout can happen fast, and having a fresh and interesting place separate from class to work can bring inspiration. I know I have been using the term ‘artist’ up until this point to describe the attendees, and my definition of that word is really just something creating art in any capacity, even if you have never picked up a pencil before in your life.
Most importantly, the events are lots of fun. You are guaranteed to meet all sorts of interesting people and explore your own capability and understanding of art. Community in any hobby or profession is important; to see different perspectives and talk with others about their process is a wonderful and highly educational experience. Even if you do not typically attend art or drawing events, this is a great way to let off some steam and meet cool people on campus. It is a good time for everyone. I even took my mom and two sisters when they came to visit and they loved it.
You can find more information and some beautiful live drawing examples on DAD’s Instagram page (@drawinganddiscourse). It is there you will also find updates about the location and time of the live drawing events which occur every couple of weeks or so. I highly encourage you to attend one of these lovely free events and get in touch with yourself and the vibrant community of artists here at UBCO.
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