How does it work?

It starts with our online Discord server where artists meet each week to dive into a topic of study. This will be a video chat. Each artist is expected to bring their own study material to the session, although collaboration and sharing of ideas is encouraged.

While the Second Renaissance Society is non-hierarchical in standing, some order must be maintained on our servers. This is the internet after all. In our scheduled Group Session a docent will guide the conversation and lay out the structure at the beginning of the sesh.

Formats will vary depending on subject, but the general session format is:

  • The docent introduces the topic for the session.
  • Pleasantries shall be exchanged.
  • Each artist (time permitting) will briefly share what they are going to study and from whom they got it.
  • Break out into work. Artists will draw, paint, write, sculpt, or underwater basket weave as they see fit. Broadly speaking it's best to stick to the topic, but if we wanted rules we would have joined a chess club.
  • Discussion and sharing of experience. Here the docent will lead the conversation and ask each artist about the work they created, and any troubles that arose. Other artists are encouraged to chime in about it and share their thoughts and experiences.
  • Pleasantries, and tearful goodbyes.
Our first study group will be for an anatomy, we expect 15-30 minutes for the introduction. 1 hour for the drawing together, and then at least 15-30 minutes for the sharing of work and experience.

Rules

Wait a minute I thought you said rules were for chess clubs?! We did! But art is all about dichotomies. We need a few rules to keep us healthy. (Relax, practically a third of this is cribbed from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure)

  • Always ask if someone wants a critique before you go all “The Critic” on them. Nothing worse than venting or showing a work in progress and somebody tells you “IT STINKS!” Sometimes people just want to talk about something without getting feedback, and that's a good thing!
  • Make sure to cradle any critique in some nice words about the artwork first. If you can't think of a nice thing to say at the beginning of your criticism, and a nice thing to say at the end, you are probably not thinking hard enough about the piece. Picking up a pencil and sharing your work is worthy of praise in and of itself.
  • Be Excellent to Each other. This goes beyond being nice (but do that too!), what we want to do is think “how can I lift this person up.” How can I help them have a better day and be a better artist?
  • Avoid political / divisive topics. There are LOTS of (too many?) places on the internet to get into flame wars.
  • Racist, sexist, harassing, homophobic, transphobic, etc. talk is forbidden. Boneheads get banned forever.
  • xcessively morbid jokes or jokes about suicide are not allowed. If someone seems like they need help, reach out to me and let me know. If you yourself are in a dark place PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE talk to someone. Me, another artist, a professional, anyone. It is not a burden I promise. (And if you just have a fucked up sense of humor, keep it to yourself since we can't tell the difference.)
  • Be even more excellent to each other.
We will drop the ban hammer for any shitty behavior, so just be cool k? This isn't your job and you don’t have rights here. This is a community for artists who want to have awesome art fueled lives, not 4Chan.

Gee Whiz, Where Do I Sign Up?

Hit me up (Chuck Ludwig) if you're interested in joining. In the beginning we are going to run by word of mouth and recommendation only and completely free. That may eventually change cause I have expensive tastes and oil paint ain't cheap, but until then let's stay DIY, free, and positive.

Schedule

Location: Second Renaissance Society Discord Server Figure drawing session are held Mondays at 7 PM EST. Portrait drawing Wednesdays at 7 PM EST. Writing sessions are held Saturdays at 1:30 PM EST.