Ballerina life drawing – with Jane Waller

On Monday 1st October Jane Waller was invited to speak about how she draws ballet dancers in movement at Stewart Clough’s Life Drawing class in Longwick.
Jane Waller drawing ballet dancer in Longwick
In a packed hall a beatifully elegant ballet dancer Aisling Longshaw performed various different pieces, first at normal speed, then slower, and then holding poses so we could all have a go at capturing both the movement, symmetry and lines of the body.

Drawing anything or anyone when they are moving is no mean feat. Jane had tips and suggestions for the group of how to stand back and free up your arm and hands to move with the movement of the dancer.

When you’re used to drawing things that aren’t moving this is an art in itself. Jane is used to drawing dancers in motion.

Add the movement to the fact that when Jane draws her dancer drawings she is in almost total darkness at a live ballet performance.

Drawing ballet dancer in motionIt was quite amazing to walk around afterwards and admire the varied work produced by everyone in the group.

Noone had drawn exactly the same thing, everyone had their own version, style and depiction of the movements.

A real challenge for the whole group.

Stewart is hoping to run another session in the near future with a ballet dancer because this one was so popular, fun and successful. Details to follow as soon as we know a date.

To find out more about Stewart Clough’s Life Drawing classes visit www.stewartclough.com, email art@stewartclough.com or phone 07901 517396

To read comments from some of the artists who attended this evening read Stewart’s blog ‘Life Drawing with ballerina Aisling Longshaw’.