Hello and welcome to the new series of life modelling workshops run by me, Topaz Pauls from Reconfigure, and Jill Boualaxai from Look and Draw Workshops.

This is a session for both existing models to gain a greater practical understanding of modelling, and for prospective models to dip their toe into this world. More importantly, it is a safe space to feel vulnerability turn to strength, be looked upon without judgement, and to experience ones supposed imperfections turned to artistic inspiration.
It doesn't matter one bit if you think you can't draw - Jill, (a former life model) is an expert in facilitating art-making for all abilities. and I (Topaz) am a full-time life model, artist, and model coordinator (I've been described as the "Madame" of Edinburgh life drawing haha). Both of us run tutored and untutored life drawing sessions. This is our seventh modelling workshop, and we can safely say that together we are the dream team...

The workshop will be structured thus:
Part 1: 2-2.45pm
We will look at an aspect of modelling 'grammar' that can be applied to all modelling contexts. Through both modelling (taught by Topaz) and drawing (taught by Jill) you'll experience what it is to pose with a drawn outcome in mind, and also to draw a pose designed to be enjoyed. This part is short (40 minutes!) but the intent is that you take away some pointers for your modelling, whether that be in Part 2 of the workshop if you decide to stay, or another time, in other life drawing scenarios.

Part 2: 3-5pm
At 2.45pm we will be opening the doors to artists for a life drawing session. If you'd like just to pose in a safe, facilitated space, you are welcome to come at this time and skip the workshop. I can promise a supportive, respectful, non-judgemental environment; an opportunity to tick summat off the bucket list, to find headspace, to antidote a hectic life with creativity, to discover the capacities and limitations of our body, and to overcome difficult self-image issues through artistic appreciation. The poses will be undirected but you'll all be closely looked after to make sure you're not doing yourself an injury, and have the opportunity to pose individually or interactively, for long or short poses, and see how you and your body translate onto paper.

How much will it cost?
I pondered long and hard about this - models are usually paid for their time; not paying to model! However, we need to honour the value of our time and our teaching, as well as our venue and material costs, so we have decided to charge a small fee. This is not a profit making venture per se; art is art for art's sake, and who on earth decides to be an artist for the money (what money?). With this in mind, we have decided to structure the payments thus:

If a model would like to come for Part 1, to learn, and then stay to model for Part 2 and put these ideas into practise, they may come for free. Their modelling time will cancel their 'debt' to the teaching time.
If a model would like to come to the taught Part 1 (2-2.45pm), or just the modelling hours (3-5pm), the fee will be £7, in line with any other facilitated class such as yoga/dance/etc which one doesn't think twice about paying for. We hope that this new payment structure agrees with you all!

What do I need to bring/what time should I arrive?
You'll need a robe and some easy to slip on/off slippers/shoes. We'll provide warming tea/coffee and biccies (the life model's staple diet...). All art materials are provided. The workshop is in the basement space of the Wasps Studios in Dalry- the yellow door at the end down West Park Place. Please arrive from 13.40 to get ready for a 2pm start to Part 1, or from 2.40pm for a 3pm start to Part 2.

How do I book?
So that we can plan for numbers, please book a ticket below. If you come for Part 1 and stay to model for Part 2 then we will refund your ticket (including the booking fee). If you'd like to just come for Part 1 or 2 it'll be the £7.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to email me (Topaz) at reconfigurative@gmail.com and I'll be delighted to consult on periods/erection anxiety etc.
Looking forward to welcoming you,
Topaz and Jill xx