About
Why we started this, what we believe, and how we run things.
Why we started this
We're a couple based in Nowra with a long-standing interest in the arts. Over the years, we've attended life drawing sessions in various cities — the kind of quiet, focused rooms where something genuinely interesting happens between the model, the artists, and the act of looking closely at another human being.
There's something about life drawing that can't be faked. The naked human form is endlessly complex — in its weight, its asymmetries, the way light moves across it, the way a pose holds tension or releases it. You can't memorise it. You have to keep looking. That's what makes it such a rich and inexhaustible practice, and what gives a good session its particular atmosphere: focused, a little intense, quietly communal.
Nowra doesn't have anything like that at the moment. So we decided to build it ourselves.
We also believe in community. We'd love for this to become a place where like-minded people meet, practise together, and grow — whether you're a seasoned artist, a student, or someone who has always wanted to try and never quite found the right room.
What "untutored" means
Our sessions are untutored — which means there's no instructor, no lesson, and no critique unless you ask for it. You draw. The model poses. A facilitator manages timing and makes sure the room runs smoothly. That's it.
This is a deliberate choice. Untutored sessions put the focus entirely on practice and observation rather than instruction. They work for all skill levels because there's no hierarchy — no one is more or less advanced in any way that matters. Everyone is just looking at the same model and trying to make something honest out of what they see.
If you want to talk about your work, compare approaches, or ask another artist for their thoughts, that's welcome during breaks. But it's always opt-in. No one will look over your shoulder, and no one will offer unsolicited feedback.
Code of conduct
We keep this plain and simple. Everyone in the room — artists and models alike — deserves to feel safe, respected, and comfortable. These are the expectations we hold everyone to.
In the studio
- Treat the model with the same respect you'd want if you were posing. Do not approach, address, or comment on the model during poses.
- No photography or video of any kind, at any time during a session.
- Keep noise low while poses are in progress. Breaks are for conversation.
- Respect other artists' space and work. Do not handle or comment on someone else's drawing without their invitation.
- Arrive on time. Late arrivals disrupt the model and the room.
Inclusivity
- This is an LGBTIQ+ friendly space. All genders, sexualities, bodies, ages, abilities, and backgrounds are welcome.
- Discriminatory language or behaviour of any kind will result in immediate removal from the session and from future bookings.
- If something makes you uncomfortable, tell the facilitator. We take concerns seriously.
For models
- Models set their own boundaries. These are agreed before the session and are not negotiable.
- Models can pause or stop at any time, for any reason, without explanation.
- Anyone who disrespects a model's boundaries or comfort will be removed immediately.
We run small sessions deliberately. A smaller room is easier to manage, easier to keep respectful, and better for the model's experience. If the culture ever drifts from what's described here, we'll address it directly.