Open Life Drawing/Painting Figure Group in Marietta, GA

figure drawings and paintings by Shane McDonald

A community of artists who draw/paint/sculpt the human figure from life

Shane McDonald has hosted weekly open figure drawing/painting sessions since his studio opened in 1998. Shane currently hosts live in-person sessions at his classroom studio K2 of the Artisan Resource Center (one mile south of the Big Chicken off Cobb Parkway). The meetings are relaxed and friendly. Shane invites you to become part of the community of artists and budding artists who love to work from the reference of a live figure model.

Avoid over-crowding and Sign-up!

These 3-hour sessions are an opportunity for community artists to practice drawing/painting the human figure, but there is no formal instruction.  It's a friendly group, so if you're a beginner, feel free to ask others for tips during the session. Join Shane McDonald's Figure Drawing/Painting Facebook Group for frequent updates on the schedule of models and to share your work.

Upcoming Sessions:

5 - 8 p.m., Sunday, July 28, 2024
oil painting of a black male nude in a death pose

male model in "death" pose, charcoal/pastel by Shane

Join Shane and a maximum of 12 others in Studio K2.
We'll welcome new male model, Roman, to pose nude.
($14) Please register by clicking/tapping the button below by 4pm of the meeting date. Once directed to the registration page linked below you can pay $14 online or tap/click "skip and book" and pay at the meeting via cash, check, Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp.  Ask Shane to take your cash or check payment when you arrive or during a model break.
If 12 have already registered, you won't be able to sign-up this time. Please try the next scheduled session.

5 - 8 p.m., Sunday, August 4, 2024
charcoal drawing of a nude Asian woman contemplating art history by Shane McDonald

Lilian Contemplating Art History, 18 x 24 inches charcoal by Shane, 2024

Join Shane and a maximum of 12 others in Studio K2.
We'll welcome female model, Lilian, to pose nude.
($14) Please register by clicking/tapping the button below by 4pm of the meeting date. Once directed to the registration page linked below you can pay $14 online or tap/click "skip and book" and pay at the meeting via cash, check, Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp.  Ask Shane to take your cash or check payment when you arrive or during a model break.
If 12 have already registered, you won't be able to sign-up this time. Please try the next scheduled session.

TWO SESSIONS:
5 - 8 p.m., Sunday, August 11 & 18, 2024
drawing of a nude male reclining on his side propping his head with his hand

Shane's 1996 drawing of male model reclining

Join Shane and a maximum of 12 others in Studio K2.
Bearded male model, Clint, will pose nude for TWO CONSECUTIVE SUNDAYS as shown above!
($14) Please register by clicking/tapping the button below by 4pm of the meeting date. Once directed to the registration page linked below you can pay $14 online or tap/click "skip and book" and pay at the meeting via cash, check, Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp.  Ask Shane to take your cash or check payment when you arrive or during a model break. Don't forget to mark your easel's position on the floor and sign-up for both weeks!
If 12 have already registered, you won't be able to sign-up, but you can always try the next scheduled session.

Plan to attend both sessions? Please sign up here on the 18th as well!

female figure charcoal sketch of a female by Shane McDonald $14 - Please use the Sign-up buttons above to hold your spot for attendance. You'll have the option to pay in advance at the link using Setmore.

Agenda:

The group generally starts with six 2.5-minute gesture poses, followed by an 8-minute pose, and finally one or two long poses that last for the remainder of the evening. 7-minute model breaks take place every 23 minutes. This agenda may change on days when a model is scheduled to pose for consecutive sessions enabling artists to complete more elaborate works.

Reference Photography:

Cameras are allowed, but please respect the model's right not to be photographed. Artists should ask the model individually and discretely if they allow photographic references to be taken. Please do not assume that permission given to one artist is granted to all artists. Please always tip the model if you take photos. (Suggested tip: $5-10 for each pose.)

Things to bring:

The studio supplies easels and drawing boards for up to 9 people on a first-come first-served basis. Bring your own art supplies (drawing paper and tools). If you want to paint, please use odorless mineral spirits bought from an art store (hardware store brands are not really odorless). If you are a sculptor, please contact Shane in advance so he can make room for you to move about the room. Many people bring wine and snacks to share, but this is not required. (Models are also welcome to partake in refreshments during breaks.) Music will be played — hopefully for your enjoyment.

Map and Directions

The Artisan Resource Center is somewhat hidden behind the small furniture store on Cobb Parkway South. If coming from Wylie Road, it's hidden behind the Marietta Commercial Plaza. Please enter at the Main Entrance (red door with decorative ironwork) on the South side of the building.

 

Simple map locating the Artisan Resource Center in Northwest Metro-Atlanta (not in scale)
Tap the map to get written directions and to see images of the area.