Portraiture as Connection Workshop

Description of Class

PORTRAITURE AS CONNECTION — A DRAWING WORKSHOP This workshop is about connecting with each other through drawing and looking. Drawing another person, both as the artist and the sitter, creates a special connection. It is a unique type of conversation. In this workshop you will be paired with other participants, and you will be facing and drawing one another. The aim of the exercises is to have fun, engage with one another and be absorbed in the act of drawing, not to create a finished portrait. You don’t need any previous drawing experience to enjoy this workshop. Our time together will be about looking and making marks in the company of other people, and the calm enjoyment that comes from that. Your tutor: Ellen studied Fine Art, then subsequently Graphic Design. She has been working as a designer in and around Brighton for nearly 25 years. Over the last few years, she has been dedicating more time to drawing and painting, especially from life, particularly portraiture. Ellen loves the mental absorption that creative activity can bring, believing it to be useful and transformative for all. She enjoys facilitating workshops that give people a chance to experience this joy and focus. Testimonials: "Very very very good. Challenging, new and fun. I was so engrossed in looking that I didn’t worry about being looked at which was nice.” “I was uneasy about being looked at whilst looking but I got used to it. It gave me confidence.” “Very enjoyable, I forgot I was being looked at after the first exercise. The companionable silence was lovely, very relaxing.” “Excellent — well structured, fun, inspiring. Very meditative and relaxing.” “It was really easy to take part and there was no pressure, anyone of any drawing experience and none would enjoy it.” “I feel that I got to know the person I was drawing in a fresh and meaningful way.” “We were all a little nervous about the prospect of drawing each other, but admiration and laughter at each other’s attempts helped bond us together. Words of encouragement to each other flowed naturally amongst the group... a very positive experience.” “A totally new experience, and leaves you with a warm feeling. ... a wonderful session. It was so enjoyable and I am still smiling about it days later!” “Fun (lots of laughter!), enjoyable, interesting, bonding. It was easier to chat when concentrating on something else at the same time having something like this to do speeds up the connection process."