When the world retreated inside during lockdown, one thing seemed to save the nation—life drawing. Sketching bodies proved to be a huge hit last year on the BBC Four programme Life Drawing Live! This year budding draughtsmen and women can again put pencil to paper with a new twist on the format.
A new two-hour special in September will be broadcast live across two channels, BBC Two and BBC Four, from English Heritage’s Wrest Park in Bedfordshire, where “life models will disrobe and assume poses inspired by great works of art”, says the BBC. On BBC Two, viewers can watch the amateur artists create their works under the expert eye of artists Daphne Todd and Lachlan Goudie.
BBC Four will be at the heart of the class with "Pose Cam" giving a fixed-camera view of each model’s pose. Crucially, audiences at home will be encouraged to upload their work during the show.
Brummie comedian Joe Lycett, who will anchor the event across both channels, quips: “Like many people I found great solace from making art during lockdown and am really excited to help get the nation creative through learning about life drawing. Any nudity is just an added bonus!”