Virtual Sessions
Start May 2020
Put your assumptions away. This is way better than you think.
We haven’t been able to keep our Gallery open to Life Drawing since March. Now we are open again – online.
This was way better than I thought it would be. I could focus better being in the comfort of my studio and with the other participants muted, it was amazingly quiet. Or, I could play and listen to my own music. I felt exhilarated at the end and so surprised at the drawings. The model was superb and thoughtful. I love life drawing in person, but this is definitely an option I will keep coming to. Thanks Xchanges!!
Testimonial by Heidi Bergstrom, Xchanges artist Heidi Bergstrom, MA, BFA
How it works
Online life drawing is open to members and non members alike. The same as our in-person sessions, all skill levels are welcome. In fact, beginners may be even more comfortable working in their own space to begin with. If you have any concerns about group gatherings or our in-person sessions are full, this is a great option.
Registration and payment in advance is required using the form below. Payments can be sent via eTransfer (preferred) and when available, via PayPal.
Once payments are confirmed, you will be sent a Zoom online meeting invite for the session of your choice.
The meeting will be open for 15 minutes before the session begins to allow participants to login in and review the online House Keeping and Codes of Conduct information. All sessions will be moderated by an Xchanges Life Drawing Faciliator.
During the break and the end of the session, participants may choose to share their work and turn their video or audio on to chat with others online and introduce themselves. The Faciliator will help enable this and orient particpants to the tools.
4 Sessions to choose from:
Mondays | Wednesdays | Saturdays |
1. Life Drawing 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. starts May 25, 2020 | 2. Life Drawing 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. starts May 20, 2020 | 3. Life Drawing 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. starts May 23, 2020 4. Portrait Drawing 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
Members: $10 Non Members: $15 | Members: $10 Non Members: $15 | Members: $5 Non Members: $10 |
A great opportunity to create life drawings in my own comfortable space! I was surprised how easily I was able to transition into working online. Having connected early, I had time for the initial set-up, getting used to the Zoom platform. I could then cut my audio and personal screen shot and concentrate on the full screen video of our model. Our Xchanges model Natasha was fantastic! The space was excellent, and she was posing in her own, large studio with white walls. I was able to time the sessions remotely which gave Natasha the opportunity to focus on her poses. The one hour session passed swiftly and we all had a lot of fun. My suggestion would be to lower blinds so that there is no bright light on your computer or laptop screen. This makes the image much clearer for drawing.
Testimonial by Gillian Redwood
Xchanges Studio Artist

I had initial reservations, but it turned out much better than anticipated and I would attend again. I liked the consistent light mainly from same direction and the poses were very good (always very good with this model, and most of the others too). Time passed quickly as normal in the studio (good sign).

Some people would not like video poses, I also prefer the real 3D but as an interim the video is good.
Video is good for faces, everyone can get close view.
All poses are from the same perspective so it’s easier to compare. I like the interval when we wander round and see each others work, this is good place to learn. I’m not interested in “guddling along”, I keep striving to improve, so video is a good substitute when we can’t have 3D. Of course I don’t always make the improvement I’d like but that’s me and nothing to do with the session set up.
Testimonial by Brian Chandler, Xchanges artist
Ready to Register?
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Is there an option to pay other than Etransfer or Paypal. I don’t have a smart phone.
Hi Joan, unfortunately we do not yet offer a way to pay in person during the Covid period. If you don’t have a smart phone, I might suggest using a public web kiosk or see if someone you know has a computer. However, you’d need to have a bank account for the transfer, or a credit card to use the online payment at https://xchanges-artists-gallery-and-studios—online-store.square.site
Jeff responding for Heidi.
Hi Joan,
we now can take an eTransfer or Paypal to info@xchangesgallery.org. You can do this on your computer, you don’t have to use your phone. Let us know if you need any help with it. Thanks! Heidi
Hi Heidi, I’d be interested in posing nude for your group via ZOOM … I am doing a test session today at 6PM NYC time … here is the meetup announcement …. https://www.meetup.com/New-York-Nude-Figure-Models-Meetup-Group/events/271907826/