What is an Open Studio?

[Lon Haverly]

For figure drawing, it doesn't hurt to be a ways away. Being too close can create forshortening problems.

But for a portrait, I cannot see how you could benefit by being any farther away than ten feet at the most. Any farther than that and you are in for frustration. Why ask for trouble?

Consistency is really the key, I think, to developing a consistent drawing technique, whatever it may be. If you always have to change your drawing environment, it will be harder to be consistent in your drawing or painting.

I am never farther than 5' from my models, unless I am in a courtroom situation. But that is wretched drawing! Wretched!

[Clayton J. Beck III]

I am at the Palette and Chisel in Chicago. As a member ($360 / year) one has available 60 plus hours of model time a week ... FREE. Many of the long pose workshops are in the large north light studio.

Without access to this, I would never have been able to afford the model time necessary to develop as a painter in my formative years and even now, as I wish to develop something specific, I come down here and work it out from the model.

ps- out-of-towners are less than a $90 / year and can come in the Chicago with full benefits of open studio.

This one was done in a open studio at the P&C a few years back.

Cara 30" x 20" Charcoal on buff colored paper