Nude life drawing as the name suggests is the activity/skill of drawing sketches of people who are present in front of you and not wearing any clothes. This art practice focuses on capturing the anatomy of the human body in its natural state. It also places importance on observing and interpreting the subtle details and proportions of the human form rather than creating a perfect piece of art.
Life drawing is for everyone both the experienced and not as much. It can help build essential art skills like shading, proportion and human anatomy. It also emphasises the importance of observation and expression over perfection which is often the main pull of beginners towards life drawing. At its centre, nude life drawing is all about exploring your creativity and challenging yourself to look at art and the world from a new perspective.

A brief history of nude life drawing
Nude life drawing has a very long and rich history. The human form has been a focus in art since ancient times, with early examples found in prehistoric sculptures and cave paintings. Many of them were drawn in its raw and natural state, emphasising the daily life or rituals.
In ancient Greece, nude art became extremely popular as artists desired to display the human body with precision and idealism. The ancient Greeks are quite known for celebrating physical perfection and their sculptures often showcased an unparalleled understanding of human anatomy. This has influenced the art of the Roman Empire, as they have carried on the tradition of nude art as a symbol of strength, divinity and beauty.
During the Renaissance, artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael studied human anatomy intensively which led to a revival of nude life art. During this period nude life drawing became a cornerstone of artistic training.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, artists like Egon Schiele and Henri Matisse started to challenge the traditional ideas of art focusing more on emotion and movement rather than strict realism. As a result, nude life drawing became a more expressive and experimental form of art.
Today new life drawing remains a timeless practice and is celebrated as not only a tool for for honing technical skills like observation and shading but also as a means of embracing diversity and body positivity.
Preparing for a nude life class
There is nothing special; you need to prepare for your nude life drawing class but just in case you should always check the class requirements of what to bring.
Nude life drawing materials
You don’t need to prepare anything special for the class, just a basic starter kit should do. A few decent pencils or charcoal, an eraser, a sharpener, and paper. Many classes will provide all the materials for you
For the paper ideally, you would want A3 or bigger as it allows to you focus more on the small details of the human body. However, if you’re struggling to buy it or carry it to the class you can settle for an A4 page. The quality of the paper doesn’t matter at the start as there will be a lot of erasing.
Usually, the class will provide a hard surface to draw on, but some don’t, so just in case you can bring a sketchpad with a solid cover or a board.
What to expect
The first life drawing class is always exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more confident.
When you arrive you usually see a room with chairs and easels placed in a circle or a semi-circle around a mattress, chair – anything that the model will use to pose.
The model will usually start with a series of quick poses to help you loosen up and capture the essence of the movement, followed by longer poses where you’re encouraged to draw the model in more detail, to explore the light and human anatomy.
Each class usually takes from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the organisation.
Try nude life drawing
Nude life drawing is an artistic technical exercise that encourages creativity and self-expression. Whether you’re attending your first class or refining your skills this practice offers a unique opportunity to connect with art in its purest form. With each class, you’ll become more confident in your skills.
So gather your materials, leave the perfection behind and book your life drawing class today.