Reconfigure is a warm-spirited, all-abilities life drawing club, held in the beautiful old anatomy lecture theatre at Summerhall. Whether you’ve been drawing for decades or you’ve never held a pencil in your life, you’re welcome exactly as you are.
You don’t need to know how to draw.
Summerhall, Edinburgh · Tue & Wed evenings
When
Tue & Wed + some Thurs, 7–9pm
Where
Summerhall
Price
12/£8/£7
First time? Especially you.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or you don’t know a pencil from a pen, we welcome all ages and all abilities — especially those of you who think you have no ability whatsoever. You can strut in and confidently do your thing, or declare yourself clueless and ask for help. You can show off your work, or swiftly close your sketchbook if you’re shy. We welcome all of you.
We begin every session with a short guided breathing exercise, to help everyone drop their shoulders before we pick up the pencils. The room isn’t tutored, so you’re left to your own devices — but you’re welcome to ask advice from me (Topaz), or whoever’s sat near you, at the break. Make a pal! Or just take the space for yourself alone. This is your time after all.
Two hours, roughly like this
What happens
Doors open
Come in, find a seat, say hello. Check in at reception on your first visit and we’ll point you the right way.
18:30
We breathe, then we draw
A short guided breathing exercise to settle in, then straight into poses — anywhere from 3 to 20 minutes long.
19:00
A proper break
Fifteen minutes to stretch your legs, look around at everyone’s work, and grab a drink from the bar if you like.
20:00
~
Home, a little lighter
We wrap up on time. Most people leave with a full sketchbook and better company than they arrived with.
21:00
What people find here
In their words
Every one of these was written by someone who walked in not knowing what to expect.
“A welcome I’ve not felt in any group I’ve experienced anywhere else — new friends, and new chances to try things I long thought were gone from my life. It continues to be an uplifting presence in my life, the “self care” where even if I don’t want to go, I always feel better for doing so.”
A place for new friendships
“Apart from being one of my favourite sessions to model for — and teaching me a thing or two from watching all the inspiring models you work with — it gifted me friendships, for which I’m ever grateful.”
“I was in a very dark place. Reconfigure was one of the first steps I took to make time for myself and start healing. It is a deliberate act — going to the space, engaging the artistic side of the brain. I find it grounding.”
A place of self-care
“It isn’t a wee drawing class in my view — it is so much more than the sum of its parts. You have allowed me to rediscover things I had lost, and I have got a little bit braver. I cannot thank you enough.”
A place of safety
“A beautiful bubble of calm creativity.”
“Love the space and the atmosphere you create. It feels like stepping back in time and leaving the outside world for a couple of hours.”
“Reconfigure should be on prescription. Joining these sessions does wonders for my mental health, and my development as an artist since 2018 has been life changing. I tell anyone who will listen how important these sessions are to me, and how much I’ve learned. Thank you.”
A place of artistic development
“At the beginning it felt like I was not supposed to be there, but I ignored that feeling. It felt like seeing things for the first time — puffiness, smoothness, shapes, lines that had been hiding in plain sight. It always feels like leaving everything behind, letting everything flow out of me. I feel free and committed at the same time. And it doesn’t matter what mark I make; the mark is all that matters. I feel like I’m discovering the story and beauty of a body, and my own body makes more sense to me now. It’s no longer something I fight, use and hide.”
A place of freedom and discovery
FROM THE ROOM:
