Fee: $20 to cover costs. Tea & coffee available – BYO snacks
This is an invitation to join a small group of women (max 10) with all levels of art experience, in a safe & friendly space in for a few hours exploration of life drawing as a mediative and life affirming process: (see below for details)
Discussion at this first gathering will determine regularity of future sessions.
Please note this is not a class therefore only prompts, not instructions
You will need to bring all your own materials including easels, paper, charcoal and pencils.
“The Tao of Life Drawing” refers to integrating Taoist principles—like simplicity, mindfulness, spontaneity, and finding harmony in negative space—into the artistic process, emphasising drawing as a meditative, personal fulfilment journey rather than just skill acquisition, often seen in books like Qu Lei Lei’s The Tao of Sketching.
It’s about connecting with nature, capturing the spirit of subjects and embracing the “why” (fulfillment) as much as the “how” (techniques).
Core Concepts
- Mindfulness & Meditation: Drawing becomes a disciplined, peaceful practice that revitalizes the mind, focusing on the present moment, much like meditation.
- Negative Space: Valuing the empty space between lines and forms, recognizing its importance in composition, similar to silence in music.
- Simplicity & Authenticity: finding inspiration in nature, and expressing the essence of things rather than just their appearance.
Process Over Product: The act of sketching itself is a journey of personal fulfilment, not just about achieving a perfect final image.
Key Resources
The Tao of Sketching: The Complete Guide to Chinese Sketching Techniques by Qu Lei Lei: A foundational book that introduces essential Chinese techniques (ink, brushstrokes, capturing nature) from a Taoist perspective, focusing on personal growth.
The Tao of Sketching: The Complete Guide to Chinese Sketching Techniques by Qu Lei Lei: A foundational book that introduces essential Chinese techniques (ink, brushstrokes, capturing nature) from a Taoist perspective, focusing on personal growth.
The Tao of Watercolor by Jeanne Carbonetti: Another book applying Taoist principles to a different medium, emphasising creative process and living creatively.
How to Apply It
- Observe Nature: Study water, trees, and landscapes to understand their essential forms.
- Capture Spirit: Focus on conveying the spirit or “qi” (life energy) of living creatures.
- Embrace Honesty: Be humble and honest in your observations, allowing the art to flow from genuine feeling.
- Find Your Own Path: Incorporate these ideas into your practice, recognising that Taoism offers a philosophical lens for creative expression
Contact Nettie to secure a spot: [email protected] Ph: 0418 896 061
