Beginning in the 1870s, artist Edgar Degas tirelessly explored elements like movement, light, and color in a series of works devoted to the subject of dancers. LACMA’s The Dancers, a sketch produced in 1898, is one example of these pieces, a composition defined by short, vigorous strokes of bold pastels and flashes of white chalk that enlivens its surfaces. Equally masterful in capturing dancers caught frozen between rest and movement are sculptures like Arabesque, one of the dynamic bronzes currently on view in the exhibition Collecting Impressionism at LACMA.
Among this and other paintings, sculptures, and costumes on view, you can step into the world of Impressionism as you engage with movement, light, and shadow at the third edition of our series of figure drawing workshops, Dancing Light. Here, teaching artist Shannon Green will teach you how artists like Degas captured rhythm, grace, and fleeting motion as you sketch ballet dancer Ishaun Jackson-Moaney in the galleries of the exhibition.
Modeled after a traditional ballet class, participants will be able to observe Jackson-Moaney gliding and tiptoeing to the tune of her self-curated playlist as they learn the fundamentals of figure drawing. The next workshop will be held on Friday, May 15. Book your ticket or see our full calendar of events, including more programs as part of Third Weekends at LACMA.