Life Drawing Manchester online classes

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

Book now

Life Drawing Manchester

18 June 2020-25 April 2021

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Life drawing Manchester
Book now

As we all find ways of adapting to a more socially distant existence, some groups have evolved and enriched their activities by using the internet to their advantage. This is definitely true for Life Drawing Manchester. Previously, this group of professionals and amateurs, would meet up on a weekly basis at Bee Studio in the Northern Quarter to socialise, draw and enjoy a few glasses of wine. Having moved from their physical home, the community has grown exponentially, allowing artists of all shapes and sizes to gather and share the same energy.

Whilst moving online, the group has joined up with other life drawers across the globe in an effort to broaden the community and create a more diverse pool of models. So far, they have had models from India, Japan, Barcelona and Italy as well as being in the process of trying to link up with a group from Ethiopia.

it’s a moving experience, to see how much genuine warm energy can be created from this online collective

Every Thursday at 7 pm they host a Draw the Figure session, these consists of a mixture of short and long poses. With some quick sketches, to warm you up, followed by longer twenty minute positions. As you’re drawing, a well curated playlist is broadcast from the zoom meeting. It really helps to place you in a certain headspace as it reflects and responds to the poses. For example, one model chose a set of positions based on Italian cinema, so the playlist followed suit, bringing tracks in from specific films and cinematic eras.

At the end of each session everyone is put into a smaller chat with one or two other people. This is the time where you get to know some of the other life drawers, as well as creating portraits of each other. For a more focused Portrait class, join the group every Sunday at 6pm, where there is a dedicated portrait session.

It’s a lighthearted and easy way to meet a fellow artist whether they’re an amateur based in Manchester, a professional tuning in from another continent or an undiscovered talent based in the UK. One of the idiomatic features of the group is the diversity in its members. Although video calling technologies have their frustrations, it’s a moving experience, to see how much genuine warm energy can be created from this online collective.

Places on either the Thursday or Sunday classes can be booked via the paypal link on their instagram.

(Additional Photography by Andrea Terzuoli)

Where to go near Life Drawing Manchester online classes

Manchester
Gallery
Black Redstart Gallery

Black Redstart Gallery is located in the Northern Quarter and runs a busy programme of exhibitions from emerging and established artists.

RJC Dance Xmas Show
Leeds
RJC Dance

RJC Dance, based in Chapeltown, Leeds, champions youth and education, leading inclusive Black dance in the North through national partnerships.

texture logo
Manchester
Gallery
texture mcr

Possibly one of the city’s most mysterious art galleries, texture is a small and perfectly-formed independent space in Ardwick.

The Beacon at Cliffe Castle Park
Bradford
Park
Cliffe Castle Park

Cliffe Castle Park hosts the Beacon, a stunning performance space that will be touring the district throughout Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.

Hern Food
Leeds
Restaurant
Hern

This produce-driven bistro in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, prides itself on cooking with the only finest ingredients and his headed up by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Rab Adams.

Indie Makers
Leeds
Shop
Indie Makers

Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.

Plant Point
Leeds
Shop
Plant Point

Plant Point is designed to help you bring the jungle into your urban or suburban space. The home of beautiful plants in Leeds.

Leeds
Restaurant
Eat Your Greens

Eat Your Greens is a vibrant, organic restaurant bringing a hint of European flair to the city’s plant-based dining scene.

Sela opened in 2004 with an idea to provide quality imported beers from around the world, fun cocktails to compliment the beer selections and a stage for the region’s finest and most talented musicians to play on.Over ten years later, we’re still all about the beer, cocktails, live music and pizza!We carry over a selection of over thirty different beers spanning the globe from Pickering with The Great Yorkshire Brewery’s Yorkshire Blackout, to New York with a selection from Brooklyn Brewery, and Belgium with longtime Sela favourite, Vedett.Our cocktails change regularly too. Our best-sellers are joined by fun, new offerings and our pizza menu is regarded as one of the best the city of Leeds has to offer.As for the live music, Sela has had not only the great and the good from the region. Local funksters, The New Mastersounds are regular visitors and we stage the amazing Mojah Reggae Band for their weekly Wednesday residency.  Our other long running programming incl
Leeds
Restaurant
Sela Bar & Pizzeria

Sela Bar is a cosy Leeds basement spot with live music, great drinks, and a cool, laid-back, atmospheric vibe.

What's on: Activity

Manchester Town Hall
TourManchester
The Magical Mystery Bike Tour

Hop on your bike for this guided cycling tour, exploring fascinating corners of Manchester you may never have seen before.

From £25.00
St Peter's Square
TourManchester
The Peterloo Massacre Tour

Visit key locations associated with a moment that helped shape the future of the nation, tracing the footsteps of those who stood for change.

From £20.00

Culture Guides

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Blondshell by Hannah Bon.
Music in the North

From Lyra Pramuk’s sacred synths to the sugar rush of YAANG, our latest music picks bring ritual, rebellion and ridiculous levels of fun.

Exhibitions in the North

Monumental sculptures, charcoal confessions and a show of two paintings only - all this and more in this month's exhibition picks.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.