Five summer Wednesdays are enough to immerse oneself in anatomy and line work. From July 9 to August 6, the Center for Digital Arts at SUNY Westchester in Peekskill will open its doors to “Figure Drawing with Live Model.” The in-person course, led by artist Laurel Shute, brings together students to learn drawing with professional models and explore techniques ranging from quick sketches to prolonged poses and portraiture.

This type of workshop has been held at the art space since 2022. Classes are structured in three-hour sessions. By the end, students must complete a total of 15 hours of instruction. The usual schedule for the workshops is from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; however, it is necessary to confirm the exact time slot upon registration in case there are changes.

The estimated capacity for Figure Drawing with Live Model is 20 to 25 students. The organizers strive to maintain an attentive model-to-student ratio to address the needs of each participant. The classes are interactive and practical.

Laurel Shute, the instructor in charge, is a painter and draftsman with experience teaching art at SUNY Westchester. She has exhibited her work in galleries in Brooklyn and New York City. In her classes, she combines technical demonstrations with practical exercises and independent work, always focusing on anatomical study and the handling of gesture and light to create carefully detailed works.

The models participating in this workshop are professionals contracted by the institution and typically alternate between sessions to offer a variety of body types and poses. The classes include both quick poses and long poses. Occasionally, artistic nude drawing is included. In such cases, SUNY Westchester notifies students in advance regarding the technical specifications related to this subject.

The initiative takes place primarily during the spring, summer and fall, and is a permanent part of the institution’s art catalog. Registration and information requests are managed via email at [email protected] or by calling 914-606-7300.