About the Malden Sketch Group Updated April 2016
We do life-drawing (yes, that means nude models) on Mondays and portraits of clothed models on Thursdays. The group has been meeting weekly for 19 years. Artists of all levels of ability and experience are welcome. You may come on a regular or drop-in basis. There is no instruction... but plenty of free advice if you ask for it!
Where
The Malden Sketch Group is currently meeting at Commerce Place, 350 Main St., Malden. for both our Monday and Thursday sessions. Access is at the main lobby front door before 7:00 PM. The door locks at 7pm so you need to arrive on time. Preotle, Lane & Associates, which has a long history of supporting our group, has generously found this space for us.
Cost
You pay $6 for each session you attend. The money pays the models fees and maintains our equipment (model stand, light, etc.)
The Schedule
The life-drawing group meets every Monday evening 7 - 9:30 pm. On the 1st Monday of the month the model does a "long pose." That means that the model holds the same pose all evening (with breaks, of course). On the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Mondays the model does "short poses." That means that the model assumes many different poses throughout the evening, starting with 3-minute poses progressing to 15- or 20-minute poses by the end of the session. If the month contains a 5th Monday we vote informally on how to use it. Come and try it out. If you decide you want to continue you may request to be added to the email list so that you will be notified of any schedule changes. We rarely cancel and are open for most holidays.
Thursday Portrait Session
In 2007 we added "Portrait Night" every Thursday evening, same time, same place. At this session a clothed model holds one pose for the whole evening (with breaks) for a portrait. We are always looking for models. Feel free to help get people to model for portrait nights. Let's do portraits of you, your friends, coworkers, neighbors and family. The model gets paid for this!
What to Bring
There is no art equipment provided but there are chairs in the room. You may show up with simply a pencil and a pad of paper or with your easel and paints. Many artists come prepared to do quick pencil or charcoal sketches on short-pose weeks but use a more elaborate set-up for a long pose.
Points of Etiquette
(1) There is NO photographing of nude models. At portrait sessions you may ask the model if it is OK to take photos.
(2) Please don't spill stuff on the floor. Bring a dropcloth if you think you'll need it.
(3) Don't use stuff that's smelly (real turpentine, smelly markers, fixative spray).
(4) Plan to pack out your art trash.
(5) Nobody reserves spaces for easels. Get there on time to get a good spot!