Wild Life Drawing is a drawing class with a difference. Instead of the usual human life models, the subject here are real , live animals. How great is that? Their aim is to inspire a sense of appreciation and understanding for the animals and conservation issues around the globe.
I’ve known Jenni Webber, a London based visual artist, educator and animal lover for a while now. Last year she mentioned she was going to start some life drawing classes with animals. Wild Life Drawing has just celebrated it’s 1st Birthday. I’m happy I finally got to join a class.
This one was held at the wonderful Spitalfields City Farm. The sun was shining, it was the perfect evening to engage with the natural world and encourage appreciation of wonderful animals.
Meet the herd, both in people and animals. This class was all about lambs and sheep. I had no idea how challenging it was to draw life animals moving around. It was nearly impossible. However, it did make me look and study them more and after a while I realised I could take a photo, work from that whilst still referencing to the live animal.
It was special being amongst the animals.
Are you looking at me??? This is Karen, a Castlemilk Moorit. This is a rare breed of domestic sheep originating in Dumfriesshire in Scotland.
My 1st attempt!
This is Teggan (female), a Badger Face Welsh Mountain sheep. This is a is a distinct variety of the Welsh Mountain breed of domestic sheep bred for Sheep farming in Wales.
Meet Jenny, the farm’s manager and Twiglet, the baby lamb who is Karen’s daughter (see above). Twiglet hardly survived and was bottle fed by Jenny. She’s now 3 months and thinks Jenny is her mum!
The beginnings….
It was all too short and before I knew it the session was over. I asked Jenny whether 2 hours wasn’t a little short but then we are dealing with life animals and I need to get to grips with my drawings a little faster:-) I think it’s the notion of being in a farm amongst animals that I wanted to spend more time with.
Next up is Goats & Kids back at Spitalfields City farm. I know that in August there is a life drawing class with owls. Jenny has done snakes, meerkats (jealous) and there are more exotic animals on the agenda. Be warned, the classes fill very quickly so your best bet is to sign up to the newsletter to be the first to hear of new dates.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am dead proud of Jenny’s new venture that already is a big hit. See you in class?
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