This is not a traditional class.

I AM NOT AN INSTRUCTOR. Both because I don’t like class and because I literally don’t know how to teach art stuff. Everyone’s style is different! Everyone’s voice is different! Ideally on Tuesday night, you get to let go of perfectionism, tap into the flow of art-making, touch the magical thing that is art energy, and let your voice sing.

A person drawing a portrait on an orange-red background with multiple sittings of the same portrait.
People attending an art gallery or exhibition, viewing colorful paintings on the walls, with one woman in the foreground with black hair, wearing a red top, and other visitors in the background.

Social Stuff

The social aspect of Tuesday night is easily as important as the drawing part. This is fun because it’s amongst friends and community.

A few rules to encourage socializing:

  • Stay off phones during breaks. If you feel like scrolling, do so during the drawing portion, so breaks can be protected as time to connect with other community members

  • Meet new people; introduce yourself, if you’re with your buddies include a stranger who looks like they need help socializing

  • Chat with your neighbor. The drawing session does not (and ideally shouldn’t be) silent. However if you DO draw in silence that’s fine and don’t force your neighbor to talk

  • Connect outside of group; help each other move, give each other jobs, use the bulletin board

People gathered outdoors under string lights, near a brick building and a chain-link fence, with an overcast sky and train tracks in the background.
Three young people gathered around looking at a smartphone, closely engaged and surprised, in a casual indoor setting with a blurred background of other people.
A person performing a handstand with legs straight up, in an art studio or gallery with people watching and art easels around, illuminated by string lights and colorful light streaks.

    • Supplies: loose paper, a smattering of drawing materials.

    • Food. A decent spread. Chips & dip, charcuterie (bam, spelled it right first try), fruits, etc.

    • Seats, easels, drawing boards, clips…

    • Non-toxic fixative (so your drawings don’t smear)

    • Fancy sketchbooks (9×12)

    • Fancy sketchbooks (18×24)

    • Fancy sketchbooks w/ toned paper

    • Kneaded erasers

    • Stickers

    • If you’re new, also if you’re not, try out new materials! Grab a handful. Try big paper, small paper, etc.

    • Don’t be afraid to be weird! Fuck up your drawings and try new styles

    • Listen to your body! If you want to skip a pose, that’s fine. If you want to get up and take a break & go outside, also fine. Switch seats, etc, y’all are adults

    • Give me feedback! If something about your experience could be better, lemme know

    • Lemme get back to this later

    • No photos of the models (unless they give you permission)

    • Zero sexual harassment of the models, before, during, or after the session, in-personal, digitally anything. If you’re wondering “might this be considered sexual harassment?” don’t do it.

    • Tag the instagram! @LifeDrawingBoston.

    • Clean up after yourself! Sharpen your pencil over a trash can; use a dustpan if you drop/step on your charcoal; make sure you don’t leave anything behind.

    • Be mindful of blocking people’s view of the model