Life Class: Today's Nude

Comments

1. I would have thought that he could have managed to do a half decent drawing at the end of it all. Model is no excuse. To me, when I draw the model is like an object. Nothing would make me nervous as I get so focused on what I am doing (I have been to life drawing classes for over 10 years now and figurative drawing is my passion). Just goes to show that some of these Royal academy artists can't actually draw that well and aren't that confident when it comes to drawing the human figure.

   Posted by M on 29/07/2009 23:13:08

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2. I completely agree with Neil McBride. The advice given was totally wrong and misleading. It was also highly irresponsible of Hume to put the model in that position, I know she was hurting and uncomfortable in that position! I am a professional life model and an artist. I was so shocked at how bad the drawing was and the comments made during. I have modelled for over ten years and i have seen many teenagers in sixth form classes do ten times better-even at their first time of drawing! get along to a drop in class or course somewhere with a good and encouraging teacher and you will find the process extremely rewarding. Plus it doesnt matter if models are sexy (!)-pick up a top shelf mag for that-the range of bodies in life classes are amazing. fat, thin, short, tall, black, brown, white, olive. All present a challenge for you to translate from the eye to the paper or canvas. that is what it is about, you capturing the beauty and mystery of the human body through a pencil or piece of charcoal. Including the head and hands and feet-i see mr hume missed out all the 'hard'bits and still it went all over the place. please feel encouraged by say, Judy Purbeck-who's class i went along to a Shoreditch town hall. She gave out friendly and supportive advice to everyone whether experienced or not. This is where drawing the body should start. And if you cant get along to a class, get a book on human anatomy out of the library, set up a mirror, and in the comfort of your own home take your top off and try a self portrait! i will even pay for your pencil or stick of charcoal.

   Posted by Susienude on 29/07/2009 00:40:01

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3. Having completely missed all the episodes during the week they were broadcast I am now watching via Channel 4oD. This episode with Gary Hume is really refreshing, as are all of the ones I have watched so far. I think it is good that there is a variety of artists shown in the programmes. Not all of them are professional life drawing tutors which is good. We can see how a professional artist tackles the discipline and if he or she has problems then that is good, we know that it is good to start again or not to panic if the drawing goes wrong. I thought the idea of the series was to get the public involved whether they have any experience of life drawing or not. Gary does say that he has not done this for a while, however, if you actually listen to what he says then it is obvious that he has done life drawing before and his advice is very good to beginners and non beginners alike. The programme is about relaxing and getting into the mood/zone for life drawing and I think that he does this very well. The fact that he is a Turner Prize nominee is beside the point - his advice is very good if you are prepared to listen. The model was not a professional life model - so what - I don't think that the series would have the same appeal if they were all strict life classes. I do want to see a professional life drawing tutor showing me how to draw properly and I also want to see someone drawing as Gary has done in this programme. I hope the series is repeated and that there are more to come.

   Posted by JD on 24/07/2009 00:17:57

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4. A great idea and some of the sesions worked well but Gary Hume's was very akward.Though Kirsten is a beautiful woman she was not a good model and her evident discomfort makes painfull viewing. I also would have liked to see the work in progress.

   Posted by Ian Griffiths on 21/07/2009 15:09:46

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5. I appreciate that Gary Hume is a professional artist, and that his art should transcend any other considerations, but I guess that most men would have considerable sympathy with him. I don't know whether he chose his model, but faced with a naked girl as outrageously sexy as Kirsten Varley, I'm not surprised that he got in a muddle over the position she was supposed to adopt, and made a complete hash of his drawing. The fact that she isn't a professional life model and that it was the first time she'd posed gave the whole thing even more of an erotic frisson, and probably accounted for the fact that his drawing looked as if it was the work of a six-year old who'd got hold of the key to the drinks cabinet. Give poor Gary a break - he's probably not got over it yet.

   Posted by WT on 10/07/2009 15:03:35

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6. I have been following this series and am very grateful for it! Currently an art student (home for the holidays) and I miss my life drawing classes - more than I thought I would. Although life drawing is completely different in person, face to face with the model, I still enjoyed this program. I hope there are many more to follow! John Berger! Anyone interested in art must read 'Ways of Seeing'!

   Posted by megan on 10/07/2009 14:38:40

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7. Disappointed that we didn't see the artists actually working. You can learn so much from watching as well as listening to a technique being described. My art tutor is always willing to demonstrate in his art classes if needed. The programme would be more successful if the artists showed us what they were doing and talked more about the materials they were using. A still photo could then be made available to download from the website so that we could have a go ourselves.

   Posted by AS on 09/07/2009 15:01:08

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8. I entirely agree with the comments made by Neil McBride.I attended many life drawing classes several years ago and speak with some experience.I remember most students' work being superior to that exibited in the programs so far.I never cease to be amazed by the number of successful so called professional artists these days who simply cannot demonstrate any drawing ability whatsoever.

   Posted by Paul Taylor on 09/07/2009 14:31:18

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9. I was rather surprised my drawing was in my opinion considerably better than the artists in the Wednesday programme. But then what greater encouragement can one get? A little more directional and technical advice would have been useful for a novice as myself. Being ill off work it was a more productive use of time than quiz shows. Supporting information on your website as to relevant books, art materials, local courses would be of use.

   Posted by AL on 09/07/2009 12:01:47

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10. I think the point is at the end of the pencil - that's the idea - give it a go

    Posted by bobflikr on 08/07/2009 19:22:59

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11. Enjoying the series but look forward to more programs with artists able to give a little more tuition and tips.I have found the opportunity to take part really beneficial.

    Posted by lynda on 08/07/2009 17:21:17

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12. I was quite amazed at how poor his drawing was! His comments were inane and were not helpful to the viewer (me) trying to draw the model and knowing what to look for. It was the same pose for the whole programme - it would have been much more challenging to have had several short poses. I might just as well have a photograph otherwise.

    Posted by Jenny on 08/07/2009 16:13:01

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13. I cant quite get the point of this programme. An amateurish model who picked a pose she couldn't keep and who kept moving. An RA artist who produced an awful life drawing and knew it, marginally better commentary than yesterdays artist when I thought my digi box had got stuck! Its just a shame channel 4 cant find some good life artists that are better prepared and can teach and draw at the same time.

    Posted by Maddy on 08/07/2009 15:43:44

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14. nice programme, i tried drawing it myself.. and it turned out to be slightly better than the turner prize winner. Any of you guys would care to share what you've drawn with today's model? I can upload mine.

    Posted by JoshY on 08/07/2009 14:11:05

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15. The drawing by the artist looked quite amateurish. Most professional artists can do amazing quality work in 20 minutes. The clue was in the fact that he used cheap paper at the start - perhaps he should have done some preliminary drawings off camera before finally drawing the piece to be shown on the show. The model was good though apparently unused to selecting/negotiating/holding a pose We have now had three artists with rather unusual drawing/ painting abilitie. Hopefully the remaining two artists will be better

    Posted by Geoff on 08/07/2009 14:10:37

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16. Today's show was the best thing ever shown on daytime tv. I will watch tomorrow no problem. But please, no naked men or fat people...

    Posted by Andrew Kirtley on 08/07/2009 13:49:15

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17. Furthermore, I also think the artists should have said more about how to draw curves and get the shadings right.

    Posted by Janice on 08/07/2009 13:32:08

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18. The emperor's new clothes is nearer the subject of this episode. This graduate of Goldsmiths, a Turner prize nominee and a representative of Britain at the Venice Biennale doesn't appear to have a clue about life drawing. He couldn't even get the basics right. If you are going to help people to draw why not start with someone who has the ability to draw to show them. I am sorry for these negative comments but I am tired of seeing third rate talent being lauded just because they have have had the lucky breaks and move in the right circles. Consider my comments sour grapes if you wish but I really don't care. I am doing OK in my small provincial art world but resent the fact that people interested in pursuing their art interests are being short changed.

    Posted by Neil McBride on 08/07/2009 13:31:44

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19. Great programme but that artist really could not draw! Bring back Rolph Harris!

    Posted by leonardo on 08/07/2009 13:13:22

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20. Todays model was hot!!! I think many more thousands were watching like me because a beautiful naked girl was on screen and not because they were into painting. Thanks C4, more please ;)

    Posted by Dave on 08/07/2009 13:08:21

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21. Really great idea doing this! I'm a university art student and it's really helpful to have something like this on tv, actually helping with drawing and inspiration over the summer months! Thumbs up from me anyway, really enjoyed drawing along!

    Posted by Laura on 08/07/2009 13:06:08

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22. Any excuse to put naked bodies onscreen - Blatently 'freeze-framed' to catch surfing channel hoppers - Shame on you C4! And incidentally - Most amateur 'would be' artists are AT WORK during the day - !! It's not a good time to show full frontal nudity '.... natural light....' LOL LOL

    Posted by Alexandra on 07/07/2009 19:09:33

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23. Really great having a decent art tutorial programme to watch. Well done the team behind this series - particularly brave for the programmers to actually transmit during the day which is the best time for art - natural light etc. More please on various medium and styles - eg. botanical, landscape, pastel, portraiture, oils, acrylic, watercolour - a whole years worth and more. Don't stop now!!! Brilliant series so far.

    Posted by Alison Gadsby on 07/07/2009 18:08:57

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