Miriam Escofet

Rather than relying on the normally quite neutral studio light this course will explore different light qualities on the model from natural lighting to very strong directional light, sometimes setting the model within a dark space. You will investigate how light and shadow can really help you see and explore the volumes in the human figure in a deeper way, allowing the volumes to help you define the form and line. Throughout the week you will cover the basic principles of light theory and shadows, how shadows are formed, how they work in a picture and how they define the form. You will gain a better understanding of how contrast and discerning mark making can set the mood in a  drawing, as well as gaining solid drawing techniques. The course will touch on aspects of perspective and foreshortening and shadow casting. We will start with short poses building up to longer poses, with the last pose being held over a day or more for a more considered piece of work. This is a drawing course but it is open for students to use other media if preferred (eg watercolours, inks, pastels) This course is suitable for all levels and no previous life drawing experience is required, but equally students familiar to life drawing classes will deepen their practice and be able to experiment and learn with this more structured approach.

Miriam Escofet has been a practicing artist since graduating from Brighton School of Art in 1990. Her BA was in 3D Design, specialising in ceramics, but she started painting soon after and has exhibited widely in the UK and Europe, most recently in Italy. She has been selected for the BP Portrait Award exhibition 3 times. Her work is very figurative and reflects her passion for space, volume, perspective and detail, expressed through various themes. She paints in oils but has worked with most paint media. She teaches open studio life drawing classes.  Visit her website here www.miriamescofet.com