About this Event
As June arrives in London, bringing warmer days, longer evenings, and a shift in seasonal energy, we invite you to slow down and explore creativity through a different lens, not through form or precision, but through humour, irony, dark humour, and the emotional contradictions that shape how we see the world.
Join EarlyMasterworks at Studio Wayne McGregor for a themed, untutored live sketching session inspired by tragedy to comedy, where irony, absurdity, and jester-like playfulness become the central reference points. This is not about drawing what is “correct” or polished. It is about translating emotion, contradiction, chaos, and humour into visual expression.
This session explores how comedy and tragedy often coexist in the same moment - sometimes even within the same expression. We look at irony, dark humour, and the symbolic “jester” perspective as a way of seeing the world differently, where laughter and discomfort sit side by side.
Humour often emerges from tension, awkwardness, contradiction, and emotional truth. In this session, you will explore how irony, exaggeration, dark humour, and narrative disruption can shape your drawings. Lines may become playful, chaotic, distorted, or expressive depending on how you interpret the prompts.
Part 1: Absurdity, Jester Energy & Gesture (Warm-up)
Quick sketching exercises responding to themes of irony, dark humour, contradiction, and jester-like exaggeration. Focus on spontaneity, emotional reaction, and expressive movement rather than form or accuracy.
Part 2: Narrative, Irony & Dark Comedy (Expressive Study)
Longer sketching sessions where you develop more layered visual storytelling. Explore how tragedy, humour, and irony interact through composition, character, symbolism, and emotional storytelling.
A relaxed, social, and immersive environment where interpretation matters more than perfection. Come as you are, bring your curiosity, and let humour, even the uncomfortable kind…. let instinct guide your lines.
- Art Ref for this session: https://pin.it/3EpzItDDE
- Life Drawing Ref: https://uk.pinterest.com/earlymasterworkslifeDrawing/life-drawing/
- Past Event Photos: https://uk.pinterest.com/earlymasterworkslifeDrawing/life-drawing-london-earlymasterworkscom/
Cover image credit:
Model:
About the Guest Host:
Rishabh Shukla is a Product Designer who loves art. His strength lies in designing for disability, while his curiosity about art is fueled by comics and movies. He is passionate about storytelling and curating experiences, which drew him to EarlyMasterworks and led him to host live sketching sessions.
His style of hosting focuses on curating stories, helping participants look within, and creating a space where he shares how he sees the world through art. He encourages a reflective and narrative-driven approach to drawing, where each line becomes part of a larger emotional or symbolic structure.
Rishabh also lives with a health condition called cystic fibrosis, and art has been a constant source of strength and grounding in his life. Through these sessions, he hopes to help participants experience that same sense of expression, connection, and emotional release through art.
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_rish_shukla_
- Website: www.rishabhshukla.com
About :
Our popular life drawing sessions have different themes every month. Please check and https://linktr.ee/earlymasterworks for details.
We create a welcoming and warm environment for all backgrounds, demographics, and skill levels at this creative social life drawing event to meet, drink, draw, and create! We do not instruct; instead, we invite participants to share. We believe that art connects people, and sharings improve creativity!
We host weekly themed untutored gatherings at a variety of one-of-a-kind places in London. You may have also heard of us because of the work we have done with the National Gallery, Open House Festival London, SOHO HOUSE, Urbanism/Architecture Bi-City Biennale (UABB), The European Biennial of Contemporary Art and more.
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About :
The home of choreographer and director Sir Wayne McGregor and his creative collaborations, Studio Wayne McGregor is a world-class creative arts space based at Here East in the Queen Elizabeth Park and part of the technological and creative community re-imagining the cultural landscape of east London that now includes Sadlers Wells East and the V&A.
It comprises of three extraordinary studio spaces and a series of playful environments in which to collaborate, make and create. It hosts all of McGregor's creative work and collaborations as well as artist development and creative learning programmes.
Alongside the creative work of choreographers, Studio Wayne McGregor hosts a number of unique visual art pieces, including a work from Ben Cullen Williams on loan from his Studio, original artworks by Haroon Mirza and We Not I, and a bespoke floor based on a work by Bauhaus artist Anni Albers with kind permission from The Josef and Anni Albers Foundation. The works are installed in the unique hanging and presentation opportunities of the We Not I designed space.
Location:
Studio 2, Studio Wayne McGregor
Here East Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E15 2GW
- Tube: Stratford
- Train: Hackney Wick, Stratford International
- Bus: 388, 241
- Nearest station: Hackney Wick on London Overground; Here East shuttle bus service from Stratford and Stratford International
We are a building within a building , but once inside all of our studios are step free and interconnected. More HERE.
Ticket:
- EM} Super Pass bulk tickets discount(>50% off): https://earlymasterworks.com/join/
- £8 (Concession, Limited Number),
- £15 (Ticket with all Art Supplies),
- £20 (Ticket with 1 Free Drink and all Art Supplies).
- We have alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
- We do not have a dinner menu.
- Eventbrite Ticket fees are on top of this price - Sorry :(
- Concession tickets are only for
==> Seniors Aged 60 or over;
==> Full-time students;
==> Asylum seekers;
- People receiving:
==> Jobseeker's allowance/Universal Credit;
==> Income support;
==> Housing Benefit;
==> Care allowance;
==> Council tax benefit;
==> Working tax credit;
==> Employment support allowance;
==> Incapacity benefit;
==> Disability living/working allowance;
==> War disablement pension;
- Anyone holding a valid:
==> Disabled persons railcard;
==> Young Scot Card age 16-18;
==> National Entitlement Card (for disabled people);
*Proof of eligibility will be required on entry to the events.
Rundown:
Doors open: 6:55pm
Life drawing: 7 to 8:30pm (mix of short and long poses, with short break)
Door close: 9pm
House Rules:
- NO REFUNDS - Due to the amount of time and effort invested in event planning, we are unable to give refunds for this event.
- Book ASAP - Please book online for you and your friends in advance so we know how to arrange the seats.
- Some basic drawing materials and paper will be available for free but if you wish to bring your own sketchbooks and materials please do! Drawing boards, small tables and cosy sofa seats are all provided on a first come-first served basis.
- Discrimination and bullying in any form will not be tolerated at our events.
- This is a 18+ event. We operate a challenge 25 policy at the bar, so please bring ID with you.
- Photography and Filming take place during workshops and gallery opening times. Please let us know if you do not want to be on film. All material captured is used for either our social media or future promotion.
Can't make it to this event? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for future reminders and Art Ref. ==>
Our popular life drawing sessions have different themes every week. View calendar here ==>
Join Whatsapp Group for London Creatives (You need to email/DM your Whatsapp no to be added manually)
More questions? Just ask! 🍻✨
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Studio Wayne McGregor, Here East Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, United Kingdom
GBP 9.38 to GBP 24.54
