“Anyone who can master drawing the human body well has achieved the highest pinnacle in art, in my opinion.” - Art Krummel
The Exchange is a Life Drawing & Painting Artists & Art Models Community! Whether you're a skilled life drawing artist or an aspiring art model, our hosted figure drawing sessions & workshops offer a platform to showcase your talents while enjoying the dynamic company of like-minded individuals. Join us to explore life drawing in studio & online sessions and experience the power of mindfulness through artistic expression. Connect in a supportive and creative environment where art is celebrated and talent blossoms. Let's inspire each other and celebrate the beauty of life and figure drawing!
What we’re about
edge studios hosts The Exchange Drop-In and Zoom Figure Drawing sessions with a draped or undraped art model twice every month on Wednesdays or Sundays at 6:30 PM US Central Time. Check the Events page for upcoming sessions.
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All skill levels are encouraged to attend
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Only Artists & Models 18+
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Each session is 2 hours
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In Studio sessions are limited to 10 Artists
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Sessions are Free! Donations are welcome!
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BYOB
The Exchange was started in the first weeks of the pandemic by a group of artists exchanging reference photos and videos of each other so that we could keep up with our figure drawing skills and chat about art and other topics of interest. We graduated to using Zoom for live sessions mid-pandemic where we would take turns drawing and posing, draped or undraped. Posing as a model is optional! You are not required to model to be a member of this group and participate in the life drawing sessions. And if you choose to model, you can pose in whatever level of dress, costume, cosplay or undraped that you are comfortable with!
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This group is most definitely a ‘No Judgement’ zone! Stick to encouraging and positive feedback, no negative critiques of artist’s or model’s work is allowed!
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** Please note... We will often use Art Models from outside The Exchange group, and they are paid a modeling fee by edge studios.
In addition, Gratuities for the model from the artists is customary, so please donate a gratuity in the form below to show your appreciation!
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Sessions are typically run in four 30 minute posing blocks with a short break in between each block:
On the occasions where we don't have a professional model engaged for the session, one primary model volunteers before each session. The primary model will pose through the 30 minute first block of warm up poses. At each break we will ask the group if anyone wishes to take the next block of poses. If no one volunteers, the primary model will continue posing for the next block of poses.​
1. 30 minute block:
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5x 2 minutes - poses for warmup and gestural drawing.
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3x 5 minutes - poses for life sketching
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5 minute beak
2. 30 minute block:
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1x 10 minutes pose
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1x 15 minute pose
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5 minute break
3. 30 minute block:
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1x 20 minute pose
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10 minute break
4. 30 minute block:
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1x 30 minute pose
The sessions do tend to go on a bit longer than planned because there's always a lot of comparing notes, chatting and catching up during the breaks.
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Here are some figure drawing tips & tricks
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If you are interested in being an Art Model for our figure drawing sessions, please read this info and apply here.
