Art has always been a significant part of my life. As a writer (and a self-declared poet), I spend a good portion of my time reading and observing art in different mediums. But experiencing art as a writer is quite different from the experience I had when I attempted to sketch real-life models during a Life Drawing Session.
Truth be told, I can’t remember the last time I drew for ‘fun’. In high school, I drew during breaks to avoid boredom. Phones weren’t allowed in class. My drawing process always involved a subject, living or non-living, as a visual reference. I translated that reference onto paper.
Thanks to PensNBrushes, I was finally able to experience my first Life Drawing Session and rehash my hobby of drawing once more.
Participants were able to create their art using high-quality art supplies from Faber-Castell, which provided the perfect tools for their creative expression.
Faber Castell Art Supply Sponsor
In addition, guests were treated to delicious burgers from Minute Burger and refreshing beverages from Moussetache Cafe during the Life Drawing Session.
Minute Burger Food Sponsor
Moussetache Cafe Beverage Sponsor
The event had a mesmerizing theme: “The Otherworldly.” This theme invites you to partake in something abstract and ethereal through the strokes of watercolor and smears of pencils.
Overcoming Initial Nerves
Initially, I felt nervous. I did not know what to expect from this event. Seeing someone nude was unusual for me. Staring at them to draw them realistically took even longer. You’d think, the first misconception that comes to people’s minds is the fact that these people are bare, naked; that it makes it difficult to see past the physical – but it’s not.
Everyone in the room was so professional that it made you feel at ease. The models, especially, were captivating in their poses that it was unlikely to see them as anything but art.
The emotions they protrude in every one of their poses invites you to unlock your mind, see past the surface, and translate that feeling into your own artistic interpretation.
A Variety of Poses and Artistic Expressions
The session showcased a variety of poses from both male and female models, ranging from quick sketches to longer, more detailed studies. It was divided into these parts (as per the post from PensNBrushes Philippines):
- 2-minute poses to get those quick sketches down.
- 5-minute poses for a bit more detail.
- 10-minute poses for a deeper dive into your art.
- 15-minute poses for those intricate details.
- 20-minute pose for fully fleshed-out drawings.
- Couple poses to explore dynamics and chemistry.
In addition, Quartet Manila brought their musical expertise to the event, performing as opening acts to kickstart the artists’ creative flow.
Their music enhanced the artistic atmosphere, blending visuals and sounds to inspire a new wave of creativity among attendees.
A Safe Space for Artistic Expression
What also stood out to me was the existing community’s warmth. The artists were very friendly and welcoming with each other, sharing and exchanging insights about their own works. I loved the diversity they showed through their drawings – from oil pastel portraits, watercolor paintings, charcoal sketches, to line drawings.
The session left me in awe. It was hard to contain my wonder while I was watching these artists’ drawings come to life. It made me think of how much our local artists deserve the spotlight for being so talented.
This community prioritized acceptance, leaving no room for judgment. I could freely express myself without having to worry about anyone throwing looks over their shoulder despite how my drawing turned out. It was nice. And surreal.
And, honestly, our society needs more events like this; so people can see the human body as more than just flesh and bones — to see it as an art that is inherently valuable, not as a commodification commonly exploited by greed.
The Life Drawing Session I experienced with PensNBrushes was a refreshing dive into the profound. It was, as the theme promised, an opened door to an ‘otherworldly’ experience. The writer in me felt like I had just witnessed a canvas of stories to tell.
This session was not just about drawing; it was about reawakening a passion, fostering a sense of community, and challenging societal norms in a post-pandemic world.
I longed for more events like this. Events where judgment vanished and the human body was revered as art. It reminded me that art, at its heart, reflects our common humanity.
Cover image credit: PensNbrushes by Stephen Singson
