Charlotte Mann ‘Drawing lab’ workshop

“Truth is veiled but may be approached by means of observation, discussion and reasoning, where mistakes are always possible” – Carlo Rovelli

Drawing Lab is for experienced artists and complete beginners alike; indeed the best classes are often ones with massive variation in terms of participants, across all measures of diversity.  The studio becomes a laboratory, an artificial place where we investigate aspects of the world through drawing, away from their context. Different experimental challenges are set by the tutor each session, with group discussion and reflection throughout the day. Students may find themselves asked to struggle to see their reflection in water, contemplating the process whilst creating a self-portrait, or observe a complex mathematical pattern repeated over time and work towards drawing it from memory.  Often these will lead to refining a challenge and repeating it with subtle variations. In this way a group of people can get to know themselves, each other and the world via drawing in intense and exciting ways.

The purpose of the sessions is not to make a final product, although we will draw all day, the drawings we make in the sessions are by-products of a renewed understanding of the world and the way our sensory and cognitive systems allow us to experience it. Materials are provided and exercises will comprise many types of drawing and touch multiple subject areas, and although we will not use a life model, we will frequently draw ourselves and each other. Anyone can attend even if they feel they “cannot draw”. There are ways in which the beginner has the advantage over the expert, an expert can be trapped by their skill, if you are that expert this can be a place where you can recover your freedom and allow that skill to grow. In this course, all that is required is a willingness to engage and an appetite to learn!

“After taking art classes for years I have never come across a class as unique as Charlotte’s Drawing Lab-  it has unlocked memories, inspiration and a desire to put it all on the page”

”I left the first session just buzzing’’

Saturday 14 June 10-5pm

£60 per person