Join Queenstown Arts Society for a series of Life Drawing Classes led by professional artist and tutor, Kasia Hebda from Kasia Hebda Studio.

IF YOU CAN ONLY DRAW A STICK FIGURE, COME ANYWAY

Term 3 | 5 August - 23 September | Wednesdays | 6-7:30 PM Te Atamira: PUĀWAI | $30 + Booking Fee

Life drawing isn't about arriving with a skill in hand - it's about learning to really look, and quieting the inner voice that says "I can't" long enough to draw what you actually see.

 
It also builds skills that carry into everything else you make: hand-eye coordination, focus, and a real understanding of composition, form and balance.

ABOUT KASIA

Kasia Hebda is a professional artist and art restorer who has been drawing from life for over twenty years, filling sketchbook after sketchbook. She has been teaching figure drawing since 2022. She runs her creative studio at Country Lane in Frankton, Queenstown.

Having spent the last two decades making every mistake you're about to make, she knows exactly where you might get stuck and how to get you moving again.

NEW THIS TERM: WET MEDIA

Thanks to the team at Te Atamira, we can now trial wet media. Watercolour, gouache, ink, wash: if you've wanted an excuse to experiment, here it is. Bring a waterproof drop sheet and a jar with a lid, so Puāwai stays lovely for the next class.

WHAT REGULARS SAY

Some students have told us they'd been waiting twenty years for classes like this to happen in Queenstown. They have been coming most weeks since 2023, and the change in their drawing is remarkable - they started out working small in A4 notepads, and they're on A1 sheets now.

PREFER TO JUST DRAW?

You're welcome to come along and work quietly on your own - Kasia will leave you to it unless you'd like her input. Same room, same model, no pressure either way.

BOOKING

Book and pay as you go. No experience necessary - beginners welcome.

▶ Bring your own sketchbook and preferred dry materials (and wet media, if you're keen to try).

Supported by QLDC through the Creative Communities Scheme.

2026 TERM DATES

Term 3 - 5 August, 12 August, 19 August*, 26 August, 2 September, 9 September, 16 September, 23 September

Term 4 - 14 October**, 21 October, 28 October*, 4 November, 11 November, 18 November, 25 November, 2 December

*Free of charge. One spot per person - reserve prior.

**Held in Mahi Tahi instead of Puāwai - limited seats.

WHAT TO BRING

• A4-A2 sketchbook, visual diary or digital tablet
• Pencils, coloured pencils, oil pastels, conte and graphite sticks, markers, charcoal (please bring a
• dropsheet for media producing dust)
• Erasers (kneadable or soft)
• Bulldog clips
• For wet media: watercolour, gouache or ink, jar with a lid, waterproof drop sheet.
  
  No solvent based paints please.
  
  

DRAWING ROOM ETIQUETTE

• No smartphones, personal music devices or photographic equipment in life classes.
• Arrive 10 minutes early to set up - doors close and we start at 6pm sharp.
• If the model is working, knock and wait outside until a pose is broken and the model is robed.
• Models have preference over room temperature.
• Be conscious of the model's personal space and don't approach without permission.
• The model's privacy is maintained at all times, in and outside the room.
• Limited easels on site, so please arrive early.
   

LEARNERS UNDER 18

These classes have nude models (male and female). Under-18s are welcome with parental consent - please ask your parent or guardian to email [email protected].