Open Figure Drawing

• Every Wednesday night, January 24 - May 8, 2024, unless otherwise noted by announcement.
• No OFD on Wed. March, 20th, during UB Spring Break.

To join the mailing list for OFD announcements, send an email to jsherven@buffalo.edu.

Participants must sign in to record their participation, and pay a five-dollar cash fee.

High School students with ID may draw for free but must still sign in with their first and last name.

Sessions begin on scheduled days at 6:30 p.m. 

A session usually starts with one-minute gesture poses as a warmup for the people drawing and the model. Depending on the participants readiness and model, these may last ten minutes or less. 

Longer pose times of 20 to 30 minutes begin after the gesture drawing is finished. There are two or three sets of poses of this length, with the model changing positions from standing, sitting, and reclining, then a ten-minute break is provided. 

Then there is a series of longer poses, and the session is complete.

In case of a mode no-show, if the participants want to model, clothed, for one another, the session may continue as usual. In this case participants still sign in for record-keeping purposes, but no fee is collected.

The following rules promote a safe, appropriate, and enjoyable figure-drawing experience.

1. The Model’s dignity, respect, and comfort are paramount. This is essential to maintain a safe and sustainable figure-drawing studio.
2. All mobile phone use is prohibited in the studio during model sessions.
3. Photographs or video of the Model is not permitted at any time.
4. The Model and Instructor/Proctor decide if the session is quiet or has music.
5. The Instructor/Proctor communicates with the Model on poses, duration, and comfort issues.
6. The Instructor/Proctor must approve requests to change Model posing or duration of poses.
7. The Instructor/Proctor must approve any changes to lighting or studio layout.
8. Currently, masks are not required.

Call 716-645-2222 for campus police or use the red phone in the back hallway for emergency services. Provide your name, location, and reason for the call.

Notify the Department of Art Administrative Assistant or Staff Sponsor if an incident resulted from an accident or unsafe situation and/or if emergency services were contacted.