Life Drawing

I was first introduced to life drawing in my foundation year in 2022, where it was a requirement for the course. I'd previously worked on portraiture in my fine art A-level, however the techniques you use in life drawing are drastically different to what I was used to doing. I was taught how to accurately draw proportions using your pencil and your thumb, as well as being forced to explore other styles of drawing that aren't as simple as drawing the outline of the figure and then shading it.

When I learnt we were going to do a life drawing session as a part of one of our university modules I was so happy! I was excited to see how a graphic design life drawing class would differ to a fine art one.

University

We were told to focus more on the movement of the model, the shape and the form of the subject. I found this really interesting, working in pencil but using it in a less sketchy way and more of a fluid and quick way to capture the model in a new style. They made us think about where the focus is in the models pose, where is he focusing his weight and energy, what is he consciously doing to make the pose look and feel the way it does.

2024 - Ellie Hickling - Loughborough University

Foundation

As I mentioned before, foundation was my first time doing life drawing, so these pieces are all quite humble beginnings. It's evident when looking at some of them that the approach they wanted us to take was very fine art oriented, and despite the fact that I eventually took the graphic design and illustration route, I still believe that a lot of this work influenced how I create design and art to this day. The way I think about creating work will forever be impacted by the skills and new ways of thinking that I learnt when completing these life drawing classes, whether it's work indepentent from my studies or apart of them.

2023/24 - Ellie Hickling - Newcastle-Under-Lyme College

Newer University Life Drawing

Outside of class

A graphic design degree doesn't offer many life drawing classes as apart of the modules since they don't really connect to the curriculum often, however, luckily, Loughborough University has its own student-run life drawing sessions. I have only managed to attend two sessions, but I love the work I created when I was there, and I intend on going more throughout the rest of my tiem at university.

2024 - Ellie Hickling - Loughborough University