The Art of Self-Expression: Life Drawing as a Powerful Medium

Anyone who has talked to me for long will know that I LOVE life drawing

I’ve always enjoyed it (apart perhaps from those early teenage art school experiences, when it just felt weird) but became properly hooked during lockdown, when I discovered life and portrait drawing online. But life drawing isn’t always about the naked person in front of you – it provides a great opportunity for self-expression.

In the world of visual arts, few practices offer the intimate and profound experience of self-expression quite like it. Life drawing is an age-old artistic tradition, rooted in capturing the human form. But it transcends representation alone and can become a deeply personal means of communication and self-discovery.

The Beauty of Human Form

Life drawing, centres on the observation and portrayal of the human body. This fundamental practice allows artists to engage in a direct and immediate dialogue with their subjects. Whether it’s a professional model or a friend volunteering to pose (this won’t be the case with me, mind you, I don’t like to draw people I know – unless I met them through drawing them in the first place!), the human figure serves as a canvas for self-expression.

A Visual Language

Life drawing goes beyond the creation of a realistic image. It’s a visual language that artists use to convey their emotions, perceptions, and interpretations. Through lines, shapes, and shading, artists express their unique perspectives on the human form. Every stroke of the pencil or brush carries a message, making life drawing an intensely personal form of communication.

The Exploration of Identity

It offers an opportunity for artists to explore their own identity as well. As they draw or paint the human form, they inevitably project their own emotions, experiences, and worldview onto the paper or canvas. I do this all the time – and my resulting drawings often look nothing like the image presented to me in the studio or on screen. In particular, my use of colour will convey emotions which perhaps I am feeling at the time, but which are not presented by the model.

The act of drawing becomes an introspective journey, revealing not only the subject but also the artist’s inner self.

A Release of Emotion

Life drawing can serve as an emotional release (and is particularly good after a stressful day!). It allows artists to channel their feelings – whether joy, sorrow, or even frustration – into their work. In this way, the act of drawing becomes a cathartic experience, providing a healthy outlet for emotions that might otherwise remain unexpressed. I have, in fact, turned to recordings of Zoom life drawing sessions when I’m feeling particularly low, or suffering from insomnia. Having this online resource is wonderful.

Beyond Words

For some, words are insufficient to convey their thoughts and emotions – or the have a block when it comes to writing these things down. Life drawing steps in as a non-verbal means of self-expression. It allows artists to articulate their inner worlds in a way that transcends language barriers, making it a universal mode of communication.

The Power of Vulnerability

In life drawing, vulnerability plays a significant role. Both the model and the artist open themselves to vulnerability, creating a space for honesty and authenticity. This openness contributes to the raw and unfiltered nature of the artwork, further enhancing its power as a means of self-expression.

Life drawing forces artists to navigate the intricacies of identity, emotion and personal perspective. It serves as a testament to the idea that art is not just about what we see but also how we feel, and how we choose to communicate our innermost thoughts and feelings. If you’re a complete beginner and nervous about giving life drawing a try, I really would recommend trying some of the online classes that are now available – there’s no need to share your work if you don’t want to!

Most of the online classes I’ve taken part in since 2020 were run by London Drawing. You can join their live sessions on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings, or buy a recording (and there are now more than three years’ worth of them to choose from). Take a look at their website here.